IT MIGHT sound like a small detail to those not
in the game, but any retailer responsible for a
large chain of shops – indeed, even just a single
store retailer – will tell you just how fundamental
credit is to the vitality of the business.
If insurers reduce credit for whatever
reason, it can cripple the ability for retailers to
remain stocked, as vendors, publishers or
distributors become reluctant to put product
into a store which they can’t guarantee is
protected.

andrew.wooden@intentmedia.co.uk

Deputy Editor
Ben Furfie
ben.furfie@intentmedia.co.uk

Staff Writer
Matt Grainger
matt.grainger@intentmedia.co.uk

Editorial Production Manager
Helen French
helen.french@intentmedia.co.uk

“I’m no financial expert, but
one would assume a retail
superpower like Best Buy won’t
be receiving the same credit
terms as embattled PC World
stores – which would add an
even greater advantage to
the firm when it launches soon.”
It might not sound like it would have a huge
impact, but this is one of the most common
ways retailers go out of business. In recent
months, High Street stalwarts Woolworths and
Zavvi – formerly Virgin Megastores – went
under because EUK – the Woolworths’ owned
distributor – had its credit significantly

reduced by insurers – which led to devastating
stock shortages for the retailers.
Commentators will be primed to see retail
collapses everywhere following those recent
fiascos. While it’s true the effects of tightening
credit by insurers are being felt across retail, it
has to be said DSGi looks pretty vulnerable
given all that we know about the firm’s recent
troubles. And it should also be remembered
that Comet posted flat sales for Christmas.
We talk about the looming Best Buy
invasion a lot, but it holds particular relevance
here. I’m no financial expert, but one would
assume a retail superpower like that won’t be
receiving the same credit terms as embattled
PC World stores – which would add an even
greater advantage to the firm when it hits the
UK this spring.
A meeting of minds
Last month we covered Microsoft’s move into
cloud computing, which was particularly
interesting since the firm made its initial
fortunes out of box product. Passing it on the
other side of the road this month was Google,
which is currently trying to make moves into
the channel, after making its millions as a
purely online business.
That the internet firm is looking to woo
reseller chains and independents is not
surprising – the resilience of the latter
especially in this country is to be envied by
most industries. If Google Apps is to become
as well adopted by business and consumers as
it would like, it will surely need the help of
those who are well entrenched in the software
selling game.
What is noteworthy is the blurring of the
lines between online and physical business
models. To reiterate the point echoed last
month, the online versus box product software
argument is no longer a case of either/or.
When two of the biggest firms in the tech
sector – who also happen to be rivals – agree
on something, you can bet others will follow.

PC Retail - Total average monthly net circulation
for January 1st to December 31st 2007: 13,885.

Founder of the buying group Iain Shaw
discusses problems posed to him by
members of the group

4 PCRetail February

www.pcretailmag.com

Xx
Xx

Mystery Shopper

27

This month, our mystery
shopper is in Watford,
searching for VoIP phones

Video Cameras

31

It’s a market that is defying the downturn
thanks to new technology and new formfactors. We chat with Gem, Midwich and
Toshiba about trends and how to get into it

Audio Visual Editing Software

PC Speakers

35

Thanks to the increasing power of
modern computers, the ability to edit
video and audio like a professional is
available to everyone. But how do you
sell it?

44

Nanopoint
Company Profile

Company Profile

Monitors and Displays 47
We talk to key figures to find out what
2009 holds for the complex monitor and
display market

www.pcretailmag.com

PC Retail sits down with DGM’s sales
manager David Nazare to talk about
the company’s recent rebranding, its
plans for 2009 and just why making its
own products have been – and
remain – key to the
company’s success with its
customer base

Credit noose tightens on PC
World, Currys and Comet
Reduction of credit insurance for leading tech retailers could pave way for turmoil DSGi insists it
is still fighting fit with its new executive restructure and total store refit, due to be rolled out this year

Though credit insurers are currently reducing credit, DSGi remains positive. The
company claimed that this is not a DSGi-specific issue and affects the whole sector

By Andrew Wooden

THE UK’S leading technology
retailers, including PC World,
Currys and Comet, could be
facing an unprecedented stock
crisis as insurers reduce credit
– fuelling ongoing concerns
following the collapse of
fellow High Street retailer
Woolworths late last year.
PC Retail understands that
three credit insurers have
dramatically reduced credit –or even blanket refused it – for
video games at Comet and
DSGi retailers, which has
made publishers reluctant to
sell into the stores at all. If this
trend is replicated in the
hardware sector it has the
potential to totally cripple the
largest technology outlets in
the UK.
When contacted, both DSGi
and Comet played down the
potential damage to their
businesses. “As everyone is

www.pcretailmag.com

aware, credit insurers have
been reviewing the level of
insurance provided to
suppliers across a number of

provided to suppliers by some
credit insurers. However, we
have seen no change in our
overall terms with suppliers

“As market leaders we are an
important route to consumers for our
suppliers’ products and we have
seen no change in our overall terms
with our suppliers.”
industries, including retail, this
is not a DSGi-specific issue,”
said a spokesperson for DSGi.
“As market leaders, we are an
important route to consumers
for our suppliers’ products and
we have seen no change in
our overall terms with our
suppliers.”
Comet added: “Like a large
number of companies we have
been a part of the widespread
review of insurance levels

and it has had no material
impact on our business.”
Meanwhile, following an
executive restructure, DSGi is
looking to roll out the
revamped design across its
whole retail portfolio, after the
recent 2008 financials
highlighted a 15-25 per cent
trade increase in refitted stores
compared to standard sites.
With regards to the future,
the firm remains bullish.

“DSGi went into the recession
with a plan to transform the
business for our customers,”
continued the spokesperson.

“We will emerge offering an
unbeatable combination of
value, choice and service,”
they concluded.

DSGi’s executive restructure:
DHL’s John Allan is to take over from Sir John
Collins as chairman later this year.
Head of Currys chain Peter Keenan has left.
Keith Jones is promoted to group retail director,
taking over his duties.
Steve Ager, formally group buying director, has
been made commercial director.
Group development director Sebastian James
is to become services director of the overseas
supply chain and Tech Guys.
Former head of Dixons Travel Andrew Milliken
becomes transformation director, in charge of all
new store formats.

PCRetail February 7

NEWS

Google embraces UK resellers
Internet search giant looks to woo the channel with partnership program Says UK resellers need
to adapt to new methods and not rely on ‘legacy models’ 20 per cent of revenue available
By Andrew Wooden

THE FIRM behind the world’s
biggest search engine is
looking to sign up reseller
partners in the UK to sell
Google Apps – a cloud-based
set of office software which it
claims over a million users
worldwide are already using,
with 3,000 new accounts
created each day.
The Google Apps
Authorised Reseller Program is
now available in the UK, and
offers 20 per cent of the
software’s revenue to resellers,
with the flexibility to bundle
the license fees with additional
services.
The online-based software
has been touted as a direct
rival to Microsoft Office
since the former’s inception,
and Google claims UK
resellers need to embrace the
new alternatives to box
product software such as this
in order to keep up with
customer demand.
“Cloud computing is not a
‘future technology’. It is here.
It is happening. Already over
one million businesses use
Google Apps and we are
seeing demand accelerate with
over 3,000 new businesses
signing up daily,” Peter Lorant,
head of enterprise channels at
Google EMEA, told PC Retail.
“This is a new paradigm for

“Cloud technology is not a ‘future
technology’. It is here. It is
happening. Already over one
million businesses use Google
Apps and we are seeing
demand accelerate.”
Peter Lorant,
Google EMEA

the market – it is important
that partners embrace this
new approach rather than
relying on legacy models. For
example, we issued over 100
major features in Google Apps
last year – partners need to
be on top of this and act as

the ‘innovation integrator’ for
their customers.”
While not dismissing box
product software out of hand,
Google is unsurprisingly
evangelical about the benefits
cloud-based alternatives
provide for users.

“Traditional desktop
software clearly has its place
in corporate IT environments
but the introduction of cloud
computing provides customers
with choice,” continued
Lorant. “Being able to access
your information from

wherever you might be, from
any device with an internet
connection, brings a mobility
and flexibility to organisations
large and small. Innovation
and collaboration is achieved
in a way that is easier, quicker
and more cost effective.”

News Bytes
TomTom offers
Valentine voices
Navigation device vendor
TomTom is offering
customers the voice of their
dreams for Valentine’s day.
Users can download the
sultry celebrity tones of Brad,
Sean, Kylie and Claudia to
every purchase of a
TomTom sat nav between
February 7th and 21st.

8 PCRetail February

Digital blockbuster
Sonic Solutions has teamed
up with Blockbuster to give
consumers access to a vast
library of premium digital
entertainment across a
wide assortment of
electronic devices.
Blockbuster will supply the
branded consumer
interfaces and Sonic will
power content delivery.

Communication
database
The National Registers of
Communication
Professionals working with
deaf and deafblind people
has launched a free-toaccess database of
contact details for
registered communicators.
It holds details of around
800 UK professionals.

Carbon concerns

PC case out now

A survey of IT managers in
retail firms, commissioned by
distributor Zycko, revealed
that 71 per cent of data
centre managers in this
sector feel under pressure to
reduce energy usage in
their data centres, and 57
per cent plan to reduce
their carbon footprint in the
next 18 months.

CMStorm has unveiled the
ultimate gaming case with
plenty of cooling for highend components. The Sniper
features unprecedented
airflow from up to three
huge fans: a 200mm blue
LED fan in the front, a top
exhaust 200mm LED fan and
yet another optional 200mm
VGA intake.

www.pcretailmag.com

NEWS

Gem celebrates 25 years
of success
Distributor looks back on quarter of a century in the UK trade Managing director hails significant
milestone in the business Month long ‘February Frenzy’ sales event has been announced
By Andrew Wooden

DISTRIBUTOR GEM is
celebrating its 25th year at the
heart of the UK PC and video
games trade, a timeline which
spans numerous key
milestones and is almost as
long as the industry itself.
The company was formed
in 1984 and landed the allimportant Microsoft contract
in 1988. After being acquired
by DCC (which also owns

to thank everybody who has
worked with us over the past
25 years and we look forward
to another exciting 25 years in
the industry.”
More recently, Gem
unveiled a new identity which
represented the evolution of
its business and further
strengthened its importance in
the sector. The launch of the
Gem Logistics and Gem

“We are delighted to be celebrating
this significant milestone in our
business. I would like to thank
everyone who has worked with us.”
Chis Peacock, Gem

fellow distributor Micro-P) in
1995, the firm made a
number of important moves in
the hardware, software and
video games markets in the
ensuing years.
“We are delighted to be
celebrating this significant
milestone in our business. This
industry has advanced
considerably since Gem was
founded back in 1984 and we
are very proud to be a part of
it,” said managing director
Chris Peacock. “I would like

Creative divisions along with
its new ‘one integrated
solution’ strap line signified the
change and saw the distributor
acquiring France based Banque
Magnétique. After a strong
year of success and a number
of innovative campaigns
throughout 2008, Gem was
awarded the PC Retail Grand
Prix Award at last year’s event.
Gem is starting its celebrations
with February Frenzy, a one
month-long sales event for
its customers.

Highlights of the 25 year history
Company formed 1984

Moved into new dedicated distribution
facility July 2005

Appointed Microsoft distributor 1988
Gem acquired by DCC March 1995

Acquisition of the Exspect brand July
2006

Appointed exclusive Microsoft Xbox
distributor October 2001

New identity unveiled with launch of
Gem Logistics and Gem Creative divisions

Appointed exclusive Take 2 software
distributor May 2002

Acquisition of Banque Magnétique
December 2007

Moved into new sales, commercial and
marketing office January 2003

Awarded PC Retail 08 Grand Prix award
March 2008

Appointed exclusive Xbox 360
distributor May 2005

Additional mezzanine floor added to
distribution centre October 2008

SIGN UP FOR THE PC RETAIL NEWSFLASH SERVICE AT WWW.PCRETAILMAG.COM
AVG and Sweex
team up
Security specialist AVG has
allied with Sweex to include
a free 90-day trial version of
its AVG Internet Security 8.0
with a purchase of all new
Sweex internet and
networking products to
protect against viruses,
phishing, web exploits,
spam, and spyware.

www.pcretailmag.com

Target uses PayPal

Fighting fraud

4,000 IBM patents

Mitsubishi projects

Trade IT distributor Target
Components has
announced that account
holders can now pay for
purchases with Paypal. This
increases the methods of
payments available for
those who do not have
credit accounts. However, it
will continue to take debit
and credit card payments.

Collaborative fraud
management organisation,
Ethoca said the Global
Fraud-Fighting Community
saw dynamic momentum
last year. It says the
increasing understanding of
the importance of sharing
and collaboration to defeat
fraud has expanded it to
nearly 50 members.

IBM has shattered the U.S.
patent record in 2008,
becoming the first company
to surpass 4,000 patents in a
single year – the 16th
consecutive year that IBM
has achieved US patent
leadership. This exceeds
Microsoft, HP, Oracle, Apple,
EMC, Accenture and
Google combined.

Mitsubishi Electric’s Visual
Information Systems division
has unveiled the WL2650U, a
widescreen WXGA resolution
projector. Producing
optimum quality images, this
projector has 3,500 ANSI
lumens of brightness, a
contrast ratio of 600:1 and is
designed for any business or
classroom environment.

PCRetail February 9

NEWS

Raft of new sponsors line
up for PC Retail Awards
Enta, Symantec and Well Child show backing as the PC Retail Awards 2009 loom Comedian
Adam Bloom is confirmed as the celebrity host for the event Under two months to go
By Andrew Wooden

WITH under two months to
go until the 2009 PC Retail
Awards, Symantec, Enta and
Well Child have all signed up
as sponsors to the event.
Symantec, the firm behind
Norton Security, becomes Gold
Sponsor, Enta takes the Vendor
Category Sponsorship and Well
Child becomes the Charity
Sponsor.
They join AMD, Interactive
Ideas, Widget, Channel
Advantage and Gem on the list
of firms backing the awards.
Farhana Rafi, consumer
marketing manager at
Symantec UK, said: “The
Norton team is proud to be a
sponsor of this year’s PC Retail

Awards. The Channel remains
our fundamental route to
market and this sponsorship

during 2008, and through
2009 we will continue to
support it in many of its

“The Norton team is proud to be a
sponsor of this year’s PC Retail
Awards. The Channel remains our
fundamental route to market and this
reinforces our commitment.”
Farhana Rafi,
Symantec UK

reinforces our commitment to
Channel partners.”
Jon Atherton, commercial
vice president at Enta, added:
“PC Retail has been an
important marketing tool

activities, this being one of
them. The focus it gives to the
SME/SMB channel is spot on.”
It has also been confirmed
that comedian Adam Bloom
will host the event. He has

been described as one of
Britain’s most exciting and
original stand-up comedians.
Ricky Gervais recently said
of him: “He’s been one of my
favourite stand-ups for about
ten years. Bloom not only
has meticulous, brilliant lines,
but also an intense and
fragile honesty.”
Bloom boasts a run of sellout shows at the Edinburgh
Festival over the past few
years, three series on Radio 4,
and has also enjoyed stints on
TV shows including Never
Mind The Buzzcocks, Have I
Got News For You and Mock
The Week.
The PC Retail Awards take

place on Thursday March 19th,
2009, at the Royal Garden
Hotel, Kensington, with 60
different companies battling it
out for one of 16 awards.
An Industry Achievement
award will also be handed out
to an individual who has
contributed strongly to the UK
computing industry over the
past year.
Your full guide to the event
is included with this issue of
PC Retail.
For information on
sponsorship packages as
well as ticket sales for the
event, contact
Katie.Rawlings@
intentmedia.co.uk.

widget
Platinum Sponsor

Drinks Reception Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Frontline Category Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Vendor Category Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Charity Partner

News Bytes
Transcend offers USB
card reader

Hansoft goes to
space

Transcend Information has
revealed its new P8 All-InOne USB Card Reader. All
four of the P8’s card slots
are labelled to avoid
confusion and save time.
Just plug the P8 directly
into any USB2.0 port to
transfer music, videos,
photos or documents.

The Swedish Space
Corporation has used
Hansoft’s integrated solution
for collaborative scheduling,
Agile, bug tracking and
workload coordination. The
tool is fast and easy and
builds on principles of team
empowerment and
increased communication.

10 PCRetail February

Non-food satisfaction

BT offers faster net

New SonicWall apps

Retailers are doing better
at keeping customers
happy, despite the
economic downturn,
according to the UK
Consumer Satisfaction
Index. The non-food sector
is now top of the league
out of 12 private and
public sectors. Food is now
in third place.

BT has developed the IPlate, a unique filter that
eliminates interference
from telephone-extension
wiring affecting broadband
signals, potentially
improving broadband
speed and reliability. In
trials the I-Plate has been
shown to boost line speeds,
typically by 1.5Mbps.

Secure network
infrastructure firm SonicWall
has announced the Aventail
E-Class Secure Remote
Access, which delivers
secure, easy-to-manage
remote access control for
the mobile enterprise. The
Aventail E-Class SRA is built
on the powerful SonicWall
Aventail SSL VPN platform.

Ingram bids farewell to Patel
UK arm of broadline distributor praises its long-standing commercial director Michael Farrah is
promoted to acting commercial director, taking over duties from early February
By Andrew Wooden

THE UK arm of Ingram Micro,
the world’s largest IT
distributor, has promoted
Michael Farrah to the position
of acting commercial director
following the departure of 18year veteran and key industry
figure Bhavesh Patel, which was
announced earlier this month.
Patel was responsible for
vendor category management,
marketing and e-commerce in
the UK.
The former head of category
for printers, peripherals,
displays, AV and mobility, will
take over Patel’s duties with
immediate effect, for the short
to medium term.
It is understood that Patel is
not planning on veering too far
from the IT industry.

Patel oversaw a number of
new channel initiatives during
his tenure at the firm, most
recently a program called
Credit Builder, which allows
resellers to build their credit
facilities up to £100,000 over a
12 month period.
Ingram Micro UK MD Julian
Klein told us: “We had to think
long and hard about replacing
to Bhavesh – obviously they
were some big shoes to fill over
the many years he’s been with
us at Ingram Micro.
“Mike Farrah’s been with
us for ten year’s now – he’s
one of Bhavesh’s direct reports,
and he’ll be taking on the
majority of his roles from the
beginning of February. This
gives us some time to figure

Julian Klein

out the best way for us to
replace Bhavesh.”
Patel added: “I’m openminded about my future
direction and have very much

Bhavesh Patel

enjoyed working with some
great people across the UK,
Europe and the Asia Pacific
regions over the years with
Ingram Micro. Part of the

Mike Farrah

journey for me has always been
the ability to take on new
challenges, and I look forward
to whatever challenge may
come up next.”

AVG tightens the screws on identity theft
SECURITY VENDOR AVG is
planning on dealing a blow to
ID thieves – an area which it
sees as becoming increasingly
dangerous in 2009 – following
the acquisition of identity
specialist Sana Software.
As a security firm, AVG
obviously already provides
some protection against identity
theft. However, the buyout
gives a huge boost to the firm’s
ID theft prevention arsenal,
incorporating Sana’s complex

behavioural tracking software,
and developing its assets into a
brand new division.
AVG’s CEO JR Smith told PC
Retail: “With regards to the
behavioural technology, a lot of
the threats out there are based
on gathering information about
individuals so that they can use
that for profit. This is becoming
more and more prevalent,
especially in the UK. The
technology from Sana will
bolster our existing protection

– so if the traditional methods
don’t catch something, then
this will.
“There are already bits of
behavioural technology in
standard security software, but
on a very small scale. This is a
robust solution that has been
developed over seven or eight
years. As a standalone it’s a
very powerful product, but
when you add it to a security
suite it really, really enhances
protection.”

Kaspersky is fave

IBM in antitrust suit
US firm T3 has filed an
antitrust complaint against
IBM. The suit accuses IBM of
tying the purchase of
software to hardware. It
also accuses IBM of
attempting to block
interoperability to prevent
customers from moving
applications and data to
other platforms.

IRIS acquires
Corismo

Sharp gets an award

According to recent data
provided by GfK Retail and
Technology, more than one
third of all European
consumers choose to buy
Kaspersky Lab anti-virus
solutions. The data is based
on the GfK sales data from
August to October 2008,
and KL is the leading brand
in Western Europe.

JR Smith

News Bytes
Adder boosts Euro
channel
Adder, a developer of KVM
switches, extenders and IP
solutions, has announced it
has entered into a strategic
European distribution
agreement with Intronics.
The agreement establishes
sale of all of Adder’s
products through Intronics
group companies.

12 PCRetail February

IRIS has bought all the shares
of Corismo, an Antwerpbased company
specialising in IT platform
consultancy for key
accounts in Belgium.
Corismo will boost IRIS’s
strategy aimed at enriching
the range of existing
outsourced solutions.

Sharp has won another prize
– the Outstanding
Achivement Award – from
respected independent
office-equipment testing lab
Buyers Laboratory for the
innovative design of its new
multifunction printers,
including the high
performance MX-2600N and
MX-3100N models.

EMAP, ORGANISER of
educational technology trade
show BETT, managed to attract
30 per cent more pre-event
registrations for this year’s
event compared to 2008 – a
figure which the firm claims is
due to the increased focus on
technology in schools.
“BETT aimed to not only
showcase the latest technology
to support learning and
teaching, but also help visitors
gain best practice tips and
advice regarding using ICT in
the classroom and about the
numerous changes and issues
affecting the sector,” Keith
Clifford, public sector
marketing manager at Emap
told PC Retail.

With PCs and related
technology more prevalent in
UK schools than ever, the
organisers are looking to
capitalise on the interest for
next year’s show.
“Visitors are now seeing
BETT as not only the place to
touch and test the resources on
offer, but to learn exactly why
using technology makes such a
huge difference to the learning
experiences of today’s
children,” continued Clifford.
“We have a few new ideas in
the pipeline to keep BETT fresh
and topical, so keep a look out
on the website in the lead up
to BETT 2010.” Next year’s
show is from 13 – 16 January,
back at the Olympia, London.

Seagate responds to hardware fault claims
HARD DRIVE vendor Seagate
has responded to a wave of
complaints from resellers and
consumers regarding a number
of hard drives which appeared
to be faulty.
Apparently an isolated
firmware issue is to blame for
the malfunctioning drives, and
Seagate is offering a free update
for those affected.
Reports of failures in some
Seagate 1TB Barracuda drives

became widespread towards
the end of January, with

“Seagate has isolated a
potential firmware issue in

certain products, including
some Barracuda 7200.11 hard
drives and related drive families
based on this product platform,
manufactured through

December 2008. In some
circumstances, the data on the
hard drives may become
inaccessible to the user when
the host system is powered on.
“We are offering a free
upgrade to those with affected
products. To determine if your
product is affected, please visit
our web site at
http://seagate.custkb.com/sea
gate/crm/selfservice/search.js
p?DocId=20793”

Compal cuts its
shipment forecasts

Computer Buyer
closes its pages

EeePC tablet has
been unveiled

Taiwan based Compal, the
second largest contract
notebook builder in the
world, has significantly cut its
shipment and spending
forecasts. The firm, which
supplies Acer, HP, and
Lenovo, is set to halve its
spending plans and cut its
shipments by three million.

Dennis Publishing has axed
Computer Buyer, after 18
years on the market. John
Garewal, the deputy
managing director of Dennis
Publishing said that it made
sense for the firm to
concentrate on Computer
Shopper – the market leader
in that segment.

Asus has taken the wraps
off its latest Eee PC at this
year's CES show, the T91.
The latest model to be
unveiled by the vendor is
the first Eee PC to feature a
tablet-like design, with the
device able to have its 8.9inch screen rotated 180degrees and placed flat.

News Bytes
Market growth back
to 2001 levels
Retail sales helped to keep
the channel alive during the
fourth quarter of 2008 after
demand from corporate
customers collapsed, claim
the latest figures from
research firm Gartner, with
the firm saying growth had
returned to 2001/02
recession levels.

14 PCRetail February

Apple shares knocked
Apple CEO Steve Jobs is
taking medical leave until
June, causing shares to fall
by around seven per cent
upon the annoucement.
Perception of the firm’s
value has always been
closely linked to Jobs
himself, who many see as
almost solely responsible
for the firm’s turnaround.

Microsoft reassures users
over mass security breach
Software giant insists updates are key to preventing infection by hugely virulent
Conficker worm Ministry of Defence and NHS computers contaminated
MICROSOFT HAS advised
users infected with the
powerful Conficker worm –
which at the time of going to
print had infected around nine
million computers – that
installing Windows updates
and ensuring sufficiently
strong passwords are used are
the best form of defence.
The worm has proved
unusually resilient to standard
internet defence mechanisms,
with some reports claiming it
automatically disables the
Windows updates Microsoft
has developed to kill it.
As well as millions of home
users, the Ministry of defence
and the NHS have been
infected by the malware.
A Microsoft spokesperson
told us: “Microsoft is aware of
the Conficker worm family.
Our Forefront antivirus
technology helps protect
against it, as do many other

“Our advice is for users to ensure
their antivirus protection is up to
date with the latest definitions”
vendors’ antivirus products.
Specifically, Forefront has been
protecting customers against

Conficker since November
21st 2008. We have also
added detection and removal

capability via the free
Malicious Software Removal
Tool (MSRT). Our advice is for
users to ensure their antivirus
protection is up to date with
the latest definitions. One of
the ways Conficker spreads is
by exploiting a vulnerability
which was addressed at the
end of October 2008 with
Microsoft Security Bulletin
MS08-067 which we further
recommend users download.”
MS08-067 addresses a
server vulnerability, via a
tailored RPC request.
“Other means of infection
include exploitation of weak
password policies and
unprotected file shares. The
easiest way to ensure latest
security updates are installed
is to enable the Automatic
Update feature in Windows.
Those that do not use
Automatic Updates can go to
our website.”

Livedrive looks to sign retail partners
LIVEDRIVE – a new firm
offering unlimited online
storage due to launch in
February – is looking to sign
up retail partners to support
its initial drive.
Apparently, the technology
is designed to change the way
people store, access and
manage data. Essentially a
cloud based offering, this ties
in with a number of similar
initiatives currently being
pushed by more established
players such as Google and
Microsoft.
Revenue sharing deals will
be available for retailers
interested in getting involved
with the scheme, and the
software will be sold either as
a box product or as an online
subscription service.
“We are looking for launch
partners that can help us grow
our customer base as quickly
as possible. We will be

www.pcretailmag.com

running an affiliate programme
following launch, but are
currently in discussions with a
number of potential partners
from retail, manufacturing and
web services,” founder
Andrew Michael told us. “The
idea behind these relationships
is to offer Livedrive to their
customers either on a revenue
sharing basis or by means of a
promotional offer of either a
reduced subscription cost or
an extended free trial period.
“Livedrive can be packaged
in a number of ways from a
free CD or a box on a shelf
through to a web link or
promotional offer in a
publication. We have an
internal system that allows us
to monitor where our
customers come from and to
cut cheques at the end of the
month for our partners who
delivered those customers.
“We’ve been developing

Livedrive for some two years
now and are very excited by
the interest generated from a

DSGI: The consumer electronics retail
group has unveiled JOHN ALLAN,
current chief financial officer of Deutsche
Post World Net, as its new chairman.
He takes over from SIR JOHN COLLINS,
who retires at the beginning of September.
Allan himself will retire from the parent
company of DHL at the end of June.
A date has not been set for when he
will join DSGi as chairman, but it is
thought that he will become a nonexecutive director sometime in the
summer to accommodate the handover.
“I am very pleased that John has agreed
to join DSG International as our new
chairman,” commented senior nonexecutive director Andrew Lynch. “John
is a highly-regarded executive with a
strong track record. He brings to the
group a wealth of large multinational
company experience from areas including
marketing, service, and corporate
management, and I know he will make a
valuable contribution.”
BULLGUARD: UK-based security
vendor BullGuard has strengthened its
managerial team with the appointment of
ALAN CASE as its new UK sales director.
Case joins BullGuard from mobile
electricals specialist Mobility Electronics,
where he held the position of director of
sales and marketing EMEA. The firm is
hoping his experience with the mobile
industry and strong contacts with the major
operators and retailers will prove key to
securing the emerging mobility market.
“This appointment is an important step
for our UK operations,” commented
BullGuard’s CEO George Tennet. “Alan
has held several key sales positions, in
which he formed successful industry
partnerships. He possesses immense
experience in the channel and has a track
record in providing solid sales growth.

Alan Case

MEDEA: Scottish third party ink
vendor Medea has promoted a raft of
employees, and appointed a new business
development director,in the biggest shake
up to happen at the firm in recent years.
Sales manager MIKE SCOTT has been
promoted to sales director, while former
sales executive STEWART COWIE is to
replace him. Meanwhile, sales team
manager KELLY SCOTT has received a
promotion to the newly created post of
marketing and events manager.
The firm has also appointed a business
development director. MARK IRVING
also joins the company, with experience
working at Orion Media Marketing.
“Achieving the role of sales director is a
huge achievement of mine,” commented
Mike Scott. “Medea could not have not
got to this position today without the
massive support of our customer base,
their continued loyality has made this
promotion possible.”
The promotions are likely to see the
company up its marketing exposure and
visibility at events: “Medea’s recent growth
and entry into supermarkets as well as
other high profile resellers means we have
to overhaul our marketing,” added Kelly.

Kelly Scott

Stuart Cowie

Mark Irving

FREESAT: The director of BBC Vision
Operations and Rights BAL SAMARA is
set to join the board of Freesat, the joint
venture between the BBC and ITV. His
appointment follows the departure of
former BBC controller of distribution,
Richard Waghorn.
ZOO: Head of marketing and public
relations at the PC games publisher,
ANDY GRAY has announced that he will
be leaving the company. It is currently
unclear where he will be going, but he
has assured PC Retail that he will be
staying within the video games industry.

Mike Scott

www.pcretailmag.com

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Richard Mills runs a local computer support company in Hull. He is a regular technology columnist for his local
newspaper and has fronted a long-running phone-in on BBC Radio. Each month, he shares his experiences from the
technology support frontline with the readers of PC Retail...
WE RECENTLY sold a new computer
build totalling £1,700, which was great,
but gave us quite a bit of stress owing to
faulty and incompatible components. We ended up
ordering two (expensive) motherboards, two 1TB
hard drives, and two hefty PSUs. The GTX graphics
card cost more than most people spend on a new
computer and needed two power connectors just to
get it started. Fortunately, all was well at the end of
it, and most importantly the customer was delighted
and can now fly his flight sim to his heart’s content.
But in terms of man hours did we make any more
than a normal build? It’s a messy spreadsheet!
WHICH brings me to the thorny subject
of how much margin should you (and I)
make on a new build? The big sheds
obviously work on volume box shifting, so the
margin per box must be very low. But for an
independent builder, it means covering your costs
and offering ongoing support. I know some will say
that system building is not worth getting involved in
nowadays, but on the flipside it does give additional
sales opportunities like security suites, broadband set
up, printers and other peripherals. We have always
included local delivery and set up in our prices to
differentiate us from the mass market. This does
work – and we are quite transparent and will always
tell people if it comes down to price, they can
probably buy a computer cheaper elsewhere, but do
they want after-sales support, and the answer is
normally ‘yes’. But how much support should you
give? Previously whilst on-site, we generally
connected up any other existing equipment like
printers and scanners, and set up internet and email,
to ensure we didn’t get calls later saying this and
that doesn’t work. But of course having done that,
you then become partly responsible for that
equipment. Now we charge for additional set up
apart from the PC and monitor.
ONGOING support can be tiresome, like
one occasion when a customer phoned to
say that every time he typed the letter K he
got ‘KO’ on the screen. The striking proximity of the
two keys obviously hadn’t troubled him too much
before he used the phone. So after telling him to check
if something was wedged in between them he
remarked ‘oh yes when I type K I can see the letter O
going down as well!’ What a surprise…
If you have any similar stories, we’d love to hear
from you. Please send them to
ben.furfie@intent media.co.uk. The best will get
published in next month’s issue.

20 PCRetail February

Not Apple’s Regent Street store, but
an example of what the ‘Temple of
the Shiny White Box’ looks like.

JOINING those who worship at the
‘Temple of the Shiny White Box’, I
recently visited the Apple store in
London’s Regent Street to see the latest offerings.
The place was humming – although I am sure a lot
of people take advantage of the free. Internet access
– and there must have been about 30-plus staff on
duty. Training is a big part of the Mac culture it
seems, and the store contains an appointment-only
‘Genius Bar’, another help desk and even a theatrestyle area upstairs. Very impressive. Walking back
outside, what should be driving past but a Microsoft
van with an ‘I’m a PC’ video screen on the side
blasting out its message. Were it not for the
horrendous congestion and double yellows, it
probably would have parked outside!

Joined those who worship at
the ‘Temple of the Shiny
White Box’, I recently visited
Apple’s store in London.
Upon leaving, what should
drive past but a Microsoft
van showing its ‘I’m a PC’ ad.

www.pcretailmag.com

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INTERVIEW: INCISIVE MEDIA

Top to bottom: Channel Expo (UK), CeBIT
(Germany) and CES (USA).

The future of

trade shows
At the moment you can barely leave your chair without bumping into someone who’s
banging on about the recession. While many people are calling this the worst financial crisis of
the last 30 years (the rest equating it to the meteor strike which wiped out the dinosaurs) many
are looking to rein in spending anywhere plausible. Andrew Wooden asked Mark Burton,
channel publisher at Channel Expo organiser Incisive Media why the channel should carry on
spending the money at trade shows, and how the UK’s biggest show of its kind is evolving to
reflect the climate….
“Attending a trade show
gives the retailer a fantasic
opportunity to increase
margin potential through
meeting and learning from
the key decision makers in
the industry.”
Mark Burton
Incisive Media

22 PCRetail February

With the economy as it is, many retailers may be
looking to reign in costs and might skip shows
this year – how would you argue trade shows in
general can in fact help them at this time?
Retailers and resellers are coming under increased
pressure from customers to show them business
efficiency and a high return on investment.
Attending a trade show gives the retailer a
fantastic opportunity to increase margin potential
through meeting and learning from the key decisionmakers in the industry, seeing and understanding the
latest products and services and catching up with
peers. Ultimately, by seeing the whole market in one
single place, you can ensure you have the correct
business strategy.

What would you say to vendors and
distributors thinking the same thing?
In potentially difficult trading conditions, with the
same number of companies chasing diminishing pots
of money, you have to work harder than ever to win
what business there is out there.
One of the best ways to give yourself an
advantage is by exhibiting at a trade show. Trade
shows provide vendors and distributors with the
opportunity to fulfil a number of sales and marketing
objectives at the same time – lead qualification,
market research, product launches and brand
building, for example. You can also see your whole
marketplace in the space of a couple of days. I’d say
the biggest strength of exhibiting at a trade show is

www.pcretailmag.com

INTERVIEW: INCISIVE MEDIA

being able to engage in conversation with your
target audience.
How have technology trade shows changed in
the UK and globally over the past five years?
It is fair to say that the collosal exhibitions that
include huge expensive stand designs are becoming
a thing of the past. Exhibitors and visitors are
interested in more specialist shows and niche
communities. I can see this trend continuing.
How do you see them evolving in the future?
I see trade shows naturally evolving into more
niche, specialist exhibitions with focus being the
keyword. We will also see the growth of pre-show
professional networking as visitors look to maximise
their time on site, instead of simply turning up and
visiting stands. Increasingly, exhibitions will be as
much about meeting peers and industry leaders as
visiting exhibition stands.
What’s the hardest thing about running a
technology trade show?
Spending a week with our sales team.
How will Channel Expo 2009 be different from
previous shows?
We have taken some vital feedback from the 2008
event and used it to build a more detailed education
and training programme, featuring key speakers from
all areas of the industry. We have picked out topical
business areas that we think will affect our visitors
the most over the next year and assembled a highprofile line up of expert speakers, business leaders
and entrepreneurs to provide valuable advice and
help for delegates looking to build a stronger
business through difficult times. 2009 is also
attracting more exhibitors as vendors and
distributors recognise the value of the show. It’s
great to see new clients exhibiting at the show such
as Dell and Northamber and also exhibitors from
2008 confirming their presence again.
What aspects must stay the same?
Channel Expo’s ability to bring together buyers and
sellers in a focused, high quality, professional
environment.
Would you ever consider expanding Channel
Expo into Europe?
The great success of Channel Expo is that the show
understands and engages with the specifics of the
UK market. Any European show would need to
replicate that understanding across borders.

Channel Expo’s (top) focus on doing business is a sharp contrast to the likes of CeBIT and CES, which seem
to go down to bigger is better route, with large scale stands and lavish surroundings

Where do you see the technology trade going
in the next five years? What will be the major
issues and most popular products?
I think it’s difficult to look beyond this year as we all
wait to see how 2009 unravels. Although cost
slashing, acquisitions and restructuring tales were
more common in 2008, many technology providers
still posted strong results. 2009 may be the year
when more traditional resellers finally bid farewell to
box-shifting business models to concentrate their
efforts on the sophisticated provision of solutions,
crammed with value-add. Demonstrating return on
investment and business efficiency will be key for all
in the channel this year.

www.pcretailmag.com

PCRetail February 23

The perfect networking opportunity.
Over 300 representatives from the small business and digital home
sectors will attend this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PC Retail Awards in Kensington.

Mystery Shopper Watford
This month our Mystery Shopper went out in Watford to look for a VOIP phone, testing store staff
knowledge on features, benefits, wired and wireless availability, compatibility with ISPs, product
range, and retailer perception. Read on to see what he found out...
SIX STORES WERE VISITED:
3 Store, Comet, Currys, Maplin, PC World and Staples

Infinite Field Marketing Solutions is a leading provider of field marketing
services to the technology sector. The solutions provided include
Training, Market Research, Mystery Shopping, Demonstration Days,
Roadshows, Merchandising and Compliance & Data capture. Visit our
website for details and to request a case study.

www.pcretailmag.com

PCRetail February 27

MYSTERY SHOPPER

3 STORE
AS I WALKED into this spacious, uncluttered store I
was greeted almost immediately by a happy and
cheerful saleswoman.
I explained that I was looking for a VOIP handset to
connect to my computer. I was introduced to the 3
Skypephone S2I and told it was like a normal mobile
phone, but with Skype software. It was available on
Prepay for £69.99, or free on a £15 a month contract.
There was a tempting offer of signing up to a sixmonth contract rather than the normal 18 months.
The thought of using Skype anywhere sounded
amazing, and almost too good to be true. There are no
network charges when using Skype-to-Skype – the

only catch was that I would have to top up once every
three months to keep Skype active. There was also a
Fair Use Policy of 4,000 Skype to Skype minutes per
top up (that’s 66 hours).
We chatted about the cost of Skype to other
numbers and countries, and I discovered that it was
very cheap when compared to landline use, dependant
on location.
The saleswoman’s knowledge was impressive and
had a ‘wow’ factor behind it, almost making me want
to buy one there and then. She clearly believed in the
product herself and left me feeling that this could be
the future for Skype.

SCORE: 9/10
PC WORLD
AFTER several minutes of browsing the store and
being unable to find any VOIP handsets, I found a
salesman who was just finishing up with a customer.
When I asked about VOIP he told me that the store
used to stock several models in the past. However,
the only model available at the moment was a US
Robotics USB Skype Internet Mini Phone priced at
£14.67, which was currently out of stock. Feeling
undeterred I asked him some questions to check his
knowledge further.

I asked which VOIP services the mini phone was
compatible with. Skype and MSN were the two
suggested. I was told that as long as my service
provider allows VOIP it would work fine.
Offering an alternative method, he went on to tell
me that using a webcam and microphone might be
worth considering.
As unfortunately I wasn’t able to find exactly
what I was looking for, I left to continue my search
elsewhere.

SCORE: 5/10
COMET
UNLIKE the Currys and PC World on the retail park,
this Comet store was not brimming with customers.
Salesmen and women were wandering around the
shop looking for people to serve.
It wasn't long before someone sought me out.
The sales assistant told me that the store didn’t stock
VOIP handsets anymore. They didn't sell very well,
he added.
After I asked him to explain other ways of
communication, such as Skype and MSN, he
suggested three headsets – the Sennheiser PC131

(£29.35), the Plantronics 350E (£19.56), and the
325E (£14.67).
The devices are compatible with Skype, MSN and
most other VOIP services and are easy to use. The
only difference was that I would have to dial the
number using the software.
His recommendation was the Sennheiser, due to
what he felt was its excellent speaker quality. He told
me the Plantronics, especially the 350E model, was
suited more towards gaming. All in all, it was a useful
visit and I came away with some good information.

SCORE: 7/10
CURRYS
THIS store was busy in comparison with the others I
went to, and I could see that it was going to take a
while to get some help.
To try and kill time I wandered around the shop in
the search for my VOIP handset. This was one of the
Currys ‘Winning New Revenues’ stores, with lots of
manufacturer branding, plenty products on display –
just not the ones I wanted – and demo-ready products.

The fixtures were low enough to allow the whole
store to be scanned in one go, but yet no VOIP
handsets were visible.
I grabbed the attention of a passing salesman who
stopped and told me that the store didn’t stock any
VOIP handsets. He suggested it might be worth trying
the PC World store a few doors down instead. I left
without getting any further information.

SCORE: 5/10
28 PCRetail February

www.pcretailmag.com

MYSTERY SHOPPER

MAPLIN
AFTER a thorough browse around this store there
didn’t seem to be any VOIP phones. I asked a passing
salesman who walked me back to the front of the
store where the stock was hidden on a shelf behind
the till. There were three brands: a small Nikkai
A72FF (£14.99), an unbranded handset (£8.99), and
the CyberPhone W (£29.99).
I was told the differences between them were size,
the lack of a keypad on the unbranded handset and
styling – something only the CyberPhone seemed to
have. I was recommended the CyberPhone due to “its
traditional feel.” Compatibility didn’t seem to be an

issue – I was told that they would work on all VOIP
services. The salesman quoted the most commonlyused applications as examples – Skype and MSN. He
explained that cost savings could be gained if ringing
from Skype to Skype, as it’s free. They also offer
discounted call rates to other telephony providers,
he added.
The range was fairly small, but the information
informative and succinct. Just before leaving the
assistant told me he used a headset for Skype which
could be another option. However, he didn’t offer any
more detail beyond this.

SCORE: 8/10

STAPLES
PRIOR TO visiting stores I had looked at a number of
websites, Staples being one of them. There were three
VOIP handsets shown on the site, but in-store there
was no sign of these models anywhere. I asked at the
print desk for help, only to be told they were no
longer stocked in-store.
Having spotted the same 3 Skypephone I had been
so impressed with in the 3 store, I asked the salesman
to give me some information on this version. I got a
blank look and was passed onto another sales
assistant, who again was unaware of the product,
leaving me to show him where it was.

Stood in front of the 3 Skypephone, priced £59.99
on Prepay, he was still unsure about the product. In
fairness, he admitted this to me rather than bluffing it
and took me through the features from the
information on the shelf and those listed on the box.
Skype on the move, free Skype-to-Skype calls and
cheap internationals calls were the key features
highlighted.
When asked to explain Skype, his confidence grew,
using personal experience to get his points across.
He told me his girlfriend uses it to speak to her
parents in Poland.

SCORE: 6/10

CONCLUSION

I was surprised to find out that some
retailers’ stock of VOIP handsets was
minimal to non-existent, leaving it to
online sites such as Dabs to stock models
from Siemens (a dual phone handset) and
a selection of other handsets.
Retailers claimed that this was because
VOIP handsets aren’t particularly good
sellers and Maplin even hid the stock
behind the counter. I can only surmise
that with the introduction of Skype
services on mobiles, the demand for VOIP
handsets isn’t great.

www.pcretailmag.com

PCRetail February 29

30 PCRetail February

www.pcretailmag.com

VIDEO CAMERAS

Caught on camera
With camcorders having broken the £100 barrier last year thanks to the emergence of cheap
flash-based models, the face of the industry has been changed forever. Ben Furfie sits down
with key figures from the sector to discuss just what these changes mean for retailers and resellers…
“We’re finding big increases in
sales volume from customers
that want high definition at
aggressive pricing, but don’t
want to make that much of
a compromise on features.”
Graeme Simons,
Toshiba

xxx

www.pcretailmag.com

t’s a market that has seen the cost of buying an
entry-level model crash over the previous year,
high definition come into its own and the media
which it is recorded onto undergo major upheaval.
But despite all that, the video camera market has
seen a huge increase in sales and, what’s more, look
like it is going to shrug off the economic downturn,
unlike other other consumer electronics categories.

I

Opening up the market
“The introduction of sub-£100 camcorders last year has
been crucial to the camcorder sector,” states Gem
marketing manager Neil Handa. “The market isn’t
standing still either. Newer models like the Kodak
Zi6 are adding new features like high definition video
while staying at wallet friendly prices.”
Toshiba’s business unit manager for smartphones,
PC options, peripherals and service, Graeme Simons,
agrees, adding that the shift in pricing has lead to
the opening of new markets: “It’s not just standard
definition models that are coming down in price;
high definition camcorders are now available for
under £200 and that’s attracting a whole new class
of impulse and fun users.”

However, with a market as fast moving as digital
imaging, it’s not surprising that there are other
developments that people think are having the
biggest impact, as Midwich’s digital imaging product
manager Alistair Coyne argues. “The biggest trend in
the past six months has been the transition to high
definition. In 2008, for example, high definition
camcorders accounted for one in every five units we
sold compared to one in ten during 2007.”
Simons agrees, adding that there was the
additional shift toward solid state formats such as
HDDs and flash memory. He says that Toshiba has
been quick to response to all three trends with the
launch of its Camileo range. “Both high definition
and standard definition storage have been key trends
over the last few months, with many suppliers trying
to gain a foothold in this segment.”
The revolution will be televised
Stressing how much of an impact these three trends
were having upon the market, Handa adds: “Sub£100 camcorders have created a new category in
the market for users who want a low cost, easy to
use solution for everyday use. I foresee this category

PCRetail February 31

VIDEO CAMERAS

complementing the sales of traditional models in the
long term. They may also have a positive effect on
higher range models, with many users who are new
to the market upgrading or buying an additional
camcorder for their requirements in the future.
Coyne agrees. “I think people are still looking for
‘value’ camcorders, but they are also willing to
spend more for the latest technology such as HDD
and flash-based recording because they are
considered to be more user-friendly.” Despite that,
he accepts that there has been significant price
erosion, but adds that because of the new markets
taking up camcorder technology for the first time,
any losses in declining ASPs have been balanced.
“Price erosion has been offset by volume sales. Last

year we sold 79 per cent more units than 2007 and
we expect to see another increase this year.”
Simons didn’t agree with the idea that low cost
automatically translated into lower performance.
“We’re finding big increases in sales volume from
customers that want high definition video cameras
at aggressive pricing, but do not want to make that
much of a compromise on the features.”
End of tape…
One of the really interesting things to come out of
our discussion with experts is that they, for the first
time, agree that time is up for the MiniDV format.
For the past two years, we’ve asked if the format,
which is now approaching its 14th birthday, was on

Entry-level models
Kodak Zi6
Distributor: Gem
It wasn’t that long ago Kodak
was a byword for photography.
But while those days might be
long gone, its Zi6 pocket
camcorder is a sign of the
direction that the firm is
currently going in. A high
definition camcorder in a small
package, it records 720p video
at 60 frames per second. It
comes with 128MB of internal
space – enough for around a
couple of minutes of filming. This
can be boosted thanks to its

Toshiba Pro HD
Distributor: Ingram Micro
Toshiba’s Camileo Pro HD
Camcorder is the daddy of the
entry-level market, with its more
traditional handheld vertical
design, high definition recording
and flip-out screen for improved
handling and use. Lightweight and
practical, the flash-based Toshiba
Camileo Pro HD is the ideal
camcorder for someone who is
looking to record their holiday
experiences, but who doesn’t want
to lug around a more expensive or
bulky model, without losing features.

SD/SDHC slot, giving you another
accessory area to boost margins in.

the way out and each time we’ve been met with a
consensus that it still had some life left in it. Indeed,
while there was some trepidation to put date on it,
Coyne tells us: “We expect to see a decline in
MiniDV models during 2009, but I still think they
will be about for this year at least.”
However, the devices might still have a role to
play in the world of digital video, as Simons argues:
“I think we’ll see more mainstream 1080p digital
video camcorders for under £200 as we get further
into this year.” Coyne isn’t so sure: “I believe that
the switch to high definition from standard
definition models will continue to gather
momentum, spearheaded by an increase in the
number of flash-based models.”

Flip Video
Distributor: Gem
The Flip Video is the camcorder
that kicked off the pocket
revolution. Flip’s pocket-sized
wonder earned the nickname
‘pocket rocket’ from several high
profile technology magazines and
websites for
its ease of
use, both
when it
comes to
filming, but
also editing
the taken
footage and

uploading it to the web. The low
cost of the device and its sturdiness
makes it the ideal camcorder for
children, either when they are on
holiday or just wanting to make the
next Hollywood blockbuster
without putting your main
camcorder at risk.

Mid-range models
Sony HDR-TG3E
Distributor: Midwich
Sony’s high definition handheld, the
TG3, is a small but extremely
feature packed device. Featuring
full 1080p high definition record,
the device benefits from a Carl
Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, with tentimes optical zoom – the largest in
its class. It also benefits from the
ability to record sound in 5.1. The
device is easy to use thanks to it
being based on Sony’s long-running
touchscreen menu-based system, as

well as packing technology such as
its face detection for both video and
photos.

GET YOUR MESSAGE OUT THERE

VIDEO CAMERAS

Sanyo VPC CA8
Distributor: Midwich
If you’ve ever had
customers looking for a
waterproof camcorder to
take on holiday – or for any
other reason – then Sanyo’s
Xacti CA8 is the ideal device
for them. It can be used up to 1.5
meters in depth, more than deep
enough for most users. It also
features a 2.5-inch TFT LCD
display and face chaser technology,

making it even
easier to use
underwater and
adding a new
dimension to users’
holiday videos.

High-end models

Canon HG-20
Distributor: Midwich
Canon’s HV20 was one of the best
selling camcorders of 2008, and the
firm has similar hopes for the HDDbased version of the same

JVC GZ-HD40
Distributor: Midwich
Featuring a plethora of manual
modes including focus, the HD40 is
a feature-

Print Edition

Panasonic HDC-SD9EB-S
Distributor: Direktek
Panasonic has been one of the
major pioneers in using flash
technology in its devices – its P2
standard was one of the first flashbased codecs used in
professional broadcast
equipment. Its SD9EB-S
camcorder benefits from
that technology through
its traditional but
compact size, data
reliability and fast data transfer.

This means that it can boast full
1080p high definition recording,
backed up by its specially
developed Leica Dicomar lens.

Prosumer
camcorder. Boasting full 1080p high
definition recording, with up to 22
hours of recording
capacity thanks to its
60GB hard drive, it is
the ideal all-in-one
camcorder package for
people looking for high
performance, but low
levels of fuss. It also has
instant autofocus for when you need
fast focusing, such as at sports days
and other fast paced events. It has a
mini-hotshoe, opening up the
potential to add on a whole world of
accessories such as external
microphones.

packed affair. With a 1/3-inch
CMOS sensor, it is ideal for low
light situations such as weddings,
and thanks to its 120GB hard
drive, you can be sure that on
special days the only thing you
have to worry about running out is
the battery. With 1080i high
definition and a ten
times zoom, there
will be few
applications where
this camcorder
won’t stand up to
the test.

Digital Edition

Canon XH-A1
Distributor: Direktek

Canon’s latest small-form high
definition professional camcorder,
the XH-A1, has a 3CCD-based
sensor, meaning you don’t have to
worry about the few issues that
affect CMOS-based systems. It
comes with full auto and manual
settings, with precise control over
everything from focus, to audio,
right the way down to aperture.
It’s the ideal camcorder for
budding and aspiring directors, as
well as businesses looking for a
solution for ENG teams.

Sony HVR-Z1E
Distributor: Direktek
If your customer needs a flexible,
but powerful high definition
solution, then look no further than
Sony’s HVR-Z1E. The flagship
model of its small-body professional
products, the Z1E has become the
defacto standard when it comes to
recording high definition
programmes for broadcast when a

portable camcorder is called for.
Packing advanced features such
as XLR inputs, DVCAM recording
and Zebra highlighting, it is ideal
for a wide variety of users.

Creative Things
With increasing computing power available to both consumers and professionals, the creative
software sector is experiencing a boom. Ben Furfie sits down with three key experts to find out
just what it holds for prospective retailers and resellers…
ver the past couple of years, the audio and
video editing industries have undergone a
major revolution thanks to a combination of
technological advances and drastically lower prices
happening within a short period of time.
Both sectors have seen a mass migration towards
digital formats, away from tape based platforms,
though the video industry has been a lot slower than
the audio side in doing so.
The impact this has had on the industries has
been immense, as director of product marketing for
desktop and enterprise solutions at Grass Valley,
Mark Naveson explains: “As acquisition moves from
tape to file-based formats – which might be solid
state or some sort of removable disk and is one of
the oldest part of the industry – the capture-for-edit
stage is largely disappearing.”
As he explains, the decrease in time taken dealing
with this period has been replaced by issues such as
compatibility, but also an increase in access to the
technology.

O

“We’re seeing an increasing
amount of home users
demanding more editing
capabilities from for their
audio and visual recordings,
for which they’re willing to
invest more in order to do so.”
Andy Miles,
Interactive Ideas

www.pcretailmag.com

Changing of the guard
However, this change is having an effect on the old
guard. “We’ve found a downward trend in sales of
specific audio editors,” comments SCV London
communications manager Matt Esau. “Digital audio
workshops such as Sony’s Acid Pro 7 have become
much more comprehensive packages and most now
offer enough audio editing for the general user.”
It’s a point Interactive Idea’s Andy Miles echoes.
“We are seeing an increasing amount of home users
demanding more editing capabilities for their audio
and visual recordings, for which they are very
willing to invest more in to do so.”
However, there is still a market to supply
professionals, as Esau explains. “There is still a
healthy amount of mastering and audio design users
who need the professional features offered by the likes
of Sony’s SoundForge 9, so sales are still strong.”
Indeed, Naverson believes that both groups are
seeing a significant increase in demand – especially
in the past few years – because of explosion in

PCRetail February 35

AUDIO AND VIDEO EDITING SOFTWARE

processing power available to both consumers and
professionals. “The increase in computer power – and
particularly the prevalence of multi-core processors –
has made the modern desktop editor the remarkable
tool that it is today. The same power is now moving
to laptop computers, which in turn are becoming
ever more popular. It is perfectly possible to perform
sophisticated editing on a laptop.”
Naverson adds: “For the professional editor, these
developments mean more creative power and
productivity. For the videographer, they mean that a
wedding video can be as highly finished as a
broadcast drama. But it also means that the amateur
has access to editing facilities for utility tasks like
transferring movies from VHS tape to DVD.” He is
keen to stress though that unlike other software,
these programs still require some know-how, so it
important to guide customers to the right purchase
for their skill level and needs.
However, Esau is quick to stress that the impact
increased processing has had much less of an impact
on the audio editing sector. “I don’t think that
processing power has affected specific audio editing
packages greatly – SoundForge 9 for example has a
fairly low draw on the CPU. However, as he adds:
“Where digital audio workstations are concerned,
this has made a huge difference and users who need
multi-track recording and utilise a lot of built-in
effects benefit from this drastically.”

Accessorise
Both Esau and Naveson had recommendations
around how to boost margins in terms of accessory
sales, with both echoing the point that equipment is
and can be a valuable part of a solution. “The
camcorder is the single most important accessory
enabling everyone from the single user to large
broadcast stations to access standard definition and
now high definition video sources at reasonable
prices,” argues Naveson. “Whether your customer is
an amateur looking to capture for a hobby or a top
producer working on a high definition broadcast
programme, the right camcorder is paramount.”
However, it isn’t just a consideration of what to
stock, as Esau stresses: it’s also what not to stock:
“The traditional studio has been suffering more and
more as the average home studio – ran from a single
computer – has become a much cheaper route for
music production and editing. This has seen the
reduction in sales of outboard equipment such as EQ,
compressors, FX units and recorders.” Continuing,
he advises that much of the equipment used these
days are based around components, making it the
ideal time for PC retailers and resellers to muscle
into the market. “The decrease in outboard
equipment has been spearheaded by the increase in
focus of getting high quality sound in and out of the
computer. This has seen sales of high quality
soundcards, as well as microphones, increase.”

Music to your ears
Regarding the best way to increase sales if you are
already in the sector, or things to consider if you are
thinking of diversifying into it, each expert has their
own advice.
“Anyone interested in producing audio and video
content, especially with the increasing popularity of
sites like MySpace and YouTube – plus podcasting –
needs a means of getting material into their
computer,” explains Esau. “Therefore, we have
found an increase in sales of affordable but good
quality microphones and speakers.
However, it isn’t just accessories that have seen an
increase in demand, says Esau. “There is also an
increasing number of people archiving old tape and
vinyl collections to computers, and wanting high
quality playback comparable to their hi-fi.”
“Rescue Your Vinyl and Tapes, enables home
users – without any extra expensive hardware or
advanced technical knowledge to convert older
recordings to current media files and edit them in a
whole manner of ways.” explains Miles.

“The increase in power has
made the modern desktop
editor the remarkable tool
that it is today. It means it is
perfectly possible to perform
sophisticated editing on a
laptop computer.”
Mark Naverson,
Thompson Grass Valley

Naveson takes a different tact focusing on video,
but echoing the message about helping customers
convert legacy formats. “Particularly in the amateur
and hobbyist section, which are primarily the
retailers’ market, remember that old standards take a
long time to die. You need to be sure that you
support legacy video and audio formats – like VHS –
as well as emerging ones.”
For any retailers that are considering diversifying
into these areas, PC Retail publisher Intent Media
also publishes two audio and instrument specialist
trade magazines. Please contact subscriptions on
01580 883 848 for more details.

THE PRODUCTS
Sony Creative Software
Audio and Video Editing
Sony’s Creative Software range
caters for a wide collection of
customers from intermediate users
all the way through to professionals.
Its Vegas Movie Studio and Acid
Music Studio are both aimed at
intermediate users in audio and
video editing, while Acid Pro 7 and
Vegas Pro suites are for professionals.
Vegas and Acid Studio:
(Intermediate) – Acid and
Vegas Pro (Professional)
Distributor: SCV London

36 PCRetail February

Magix Range
Audio and Video
Magix’s easy to pick up range of
audio and video software has been
designed with those not versed in
this type of software. Its Samplitude
Music Studio 14 and Rescue Your
Vinyl are its audio products, while
the latter is aimed at those with
large vinyl collections that they
want digitising. Rescue Your Video
acts similarly to its vinyl software,
albeit for digitising old VHS videos.
Level: Beginner
Distributor: Interactive Ideas

www.pcretailmag.com

AUDIO AND VIDEO EDITING SOFTWARE

Steinberg CuBase
Audio Editing
CuBase is a specialist
computer program
designed for editing and
producing music on PCs
and Apple Macs.
A combination of
MIDI, music sequencer
and digital audio editing
software, it is one of the
flagship programs in the
audio sector.
Level: Professional
Distributor: Arbiter

Avid Range
Audio and Video Editing
Avid is one of the giants of the
editing sector, producing the industry
standards for both the video and
audio industry in Liquid and Pro
Tools respectively. It also produces
consumer versions of video software
through its Pinnacle and analogue-todigital Dazzle subsidiaries.
Level: Pinnacle Studio 12 &
Dazzle range (Beginner)
Avid Liquid 7 & Pro Tools
(Professional)
Distributor: Open

Apple Range
Audio and Video Editing
Apple’s editing packages are amongst
the highest rated editing suites on
the market today. GarageBand is
seen as the benchmark for consumer
audio editing, and iMovie is also
respected. Both its Final Cut and
Logic packages are contenders for
the market standard.
Level: GarageBand & iMovie
(Beginner) Final Cut & Logic
Express (Advanced) Logic
Pro & Final Cut Studio (Pro)

Corel VideoStudio
Video Editing
Corel’s VideoStudio is one of
the longest established
consumer video editing
software packages and for
good reason. Its simple and
stable user interface has
helped it to develop a strong
community of users. Ideal for
those looking for a simple to
use, but powerful beginnerlevel video editing package.
Level: Beginner
Distributor: Open

Adobe Creative Suite
Audio and Video Editing
Adobe’s CS4 is the market standard
in the photo editing and design
sectors, and also has strong offerings
in the video and audio markets too.
Premiere Pro has been used in
Hollywood blockbusters and its audio
editing software Soundbooth is
designed for use in video composition
by people whose specialisation is
not audio production.
Level: Professional
Distributor: Ingram Micro

Roxio Creator 2009
Video Editing
Roxio’s Creator 2009 suite is a
general package of media
editing software that will
provide a basic, but solid
solution for anyone looking to
do some light video editing.
It’s also great if you have
customers looking for an all
round editing package for their
PC. Archiving music, editing
photos and backing up data
are other features of the suite.
Level: Beginner
Distributor: Gem
Distributors

Thompson Grass Valley
EDIUS

38 PCRetail February

Video Editing Suite
EDIUS is a non-linear video editing
application, which is designed to
support a huge number of video
formats including almost all
moderns standards as well as
several archaic platforms. It is
designed primarily for broadcast
and post production environments,
which might be forced to work
with several different formats to be
made into a single production.
Level: Professional
Distributor: Open

Arbiter:
0208 207 7860

Ingram Micro:
0870 405 3000

Avid:
0207 534 2800

Interactive Ideas:
0208 805 1000

Corel:
0800 376 9271

SCV London:
0208 418 1470

Edirol:
0870 350 1515

Thompson Grass Valley:
01189 230 400

Gem:
01279 822822

Westcoast:
0118 912 6000

www.pcretailmag.com

COMPANY PROFILE: DGM

Visual

Flair

Now in its thirteenth year, UK-based specialist LCD
monitor and television vendor DGM has been
celebrating a spectacular performance in 2008, and is
looking forward to 2009 with open arms. Ben Furfie sits
down with DGM’s sales manager David Nazare to find
out what went so well…

008 was an eventful year for London-based
vendor DGM. Fresh from a major re-branding,
a name change, and a substantial growth in
the LCD market, the vendor is now looking forward
to 2009, with plans for further product ranges and
an expansion of its partner programme in the
pipeline.
Now in its thirteenth year, the vendor has become
a worldwide leader in high quality LCD products
and digital accessories.

2
“Sometimes a simple
change of name can
unlock the potential that
was there all along;
celebrities do it all the time.”
David Nazare, DGM

www.pcretailmag.com

Global Leader
“Digimate was founded back in 1996 as a forwardthinking enterprise dedicated to research and
development, as well as the design, marketing and
manufacture of LCD television and computer
products,” explains DGM’s sales manager David
Nazare. “We have offices all over Asia and we have
a European head office in London, which is

responsible for administering the entire region.”
Having offices all over the world has been key to
the firm’s success, according to Nazare: “The biggest
success for DGM in 2008 was our growth in the
LCD television market, which is very difficult to
establish yourself in.” In addition, Nazare was keen
to stress the importance of the vendor’s sales and
marketing teams to its success: “It has taken a lot of
work from the sales team and the marketing team in
launching the products, as well as our new website,
which has been designed to offer our partners and
other customers the correct information at the click
of a button.”
Changing Names
The other significant event during 2008 was the
major rebranding of the company and its product
lines under one moniker. “Sometimes a simple
change of name can unlock the potential that was

PCRetail February 41

COMPANY PROFILE: DGM

there all along; celebrities do it all the time,” explains
Nazare. He added that part of the reason was to
simplify the name and branding across all of its
operations, adding: “[celebrities] know that if you
want people to remember you, it helps to have a
name that sticks in the mind of the audience. For us,
it was just a case of outgrowing the name we started
out with, Digimate fitted us fine in 1996 when we
began selling computer parts and it still worked for us
12 years later.” Explaining the reasoning behind the
name change, he adds: “As a global company, we
needed a name and a brand that will be recognised
anywhere across the globe. The name DGM brings
together more than 20 different trading names
around the world. It’s perfect for us because it’s short,
memorable and feels positive and lively.”
Nazare was keen to stress that the change
extended to its name only. “Apart from the new

“DGM is looking forward to
2009, despite the downturn.
We’ve got a new range of
products and we’re looking at
expanding our network of
partners and distributors.”
David Nazare, DGM
name, we’ll be carrying on as usual,” he adds. “We’re
proud of our heritage and our values. We’ve gotten to
know our customers and have found that the best
way to provide services is to treat every person as an
individual. That’s something we’re definitely not
going to change in the future.”
Indeed, the total gearing of the company around
the needs of its customers as individuals has filtered
right the way down to product level. “Each of our
products and services are tailored to focus on the
specific needs of retailers and consumers,” adds
Nazare. “We’re continually broadening our product
range, while maintaining our very high standard of
quality control and in house customer service.”
The Personal Touch
Key to maintaining this personal focus on the
customer has been the firm’s commitment to
developing and manufacturer of its own products:
“We are the main manufacturer of our own products.
In addition, we are constantly using our
understanding of the global marketplace, our buying
power and our insight into emerging technology to
drive prices down and explore new opportunities.”
Indeed, this philosophy lies at the heart of the
company’s plans for 2009. “We will be launching our
new range of LCD televisions in the next couple of
months, as well as a new range of audio and video
product accessories as well,” explains Nazare. “We
are looking to expand our sales force to give our
customers more sales support.”
Nazare also hinted at plans to ramp up the firm’s
channel program later in the year, as well as
increasing the number of distribution partners it has
at the moment. “DGM is looking forward to 2009,
despite the downturn. We’ve got a new range of
products and we’re looking at expanding our
network of partners and distributors.”

42 PCRetail February

Left to right: John Lim (director), Vishal Gohel (sales
director), David Nazare and Ron Kan (director)

Making Noise
From letting you know you’ve recieved email, to the latest gaming phenomenon, sound is
crucial to the modern computing experience, as are speakers. Matt Grainger tunes in...
n terms of audio, there was once a time when
the best a PC user could hope for was a selection
of beeps emanating from the back of the desktop
case. Driving games sounded like a wasp trapped in
a jam jar and any attempt at music bore a strong
aural resemblance to someone squeezing a series of
variable-sized whoopie cushions.
Nearly two decades later, audio support on PC has
evolved to accurately reproduce the sound of the
human voice and the vast majority of home users
are able to play music through their PCs. In fact the
growing role of PCs as a media centre for home
users has made audio support more important than
ever.
Sound support has grown to include more and
more channels over the years, with newer sound
cards able to support the 7.1 channels required for
cinema style surround sound.
“PC audio has transformed since its inception,”
says Interactive Ideas’ marketing executive, Andy
Miles. “It went from being a tool of the music

I
“PC audio has transformed
since its inception. It went
from being a tool of the
music industry, to being a
necessary part of the
growing gaming market.”
Andy Miles
Interactive Ideas

44 PCRetail February

industry, to being a necessary part of the growing
gaming market. Graphic and sound support have
both advanced as a result of the money that was
generated by that channel.”
Most higher end speakers will require sound
cards, and are generally needed for lavish touches
like surround sound or for professional projects such
as sound or music editing.
Many motherboards today come with onboard
sound processing, which reduces the need for a
sound card, and its presence means that consumers
are just as likely to be looking for a lower-end set of
speakers as they are for those at the high-end.
“We plan to continue offering our customers a
wide range of speakers from all our vendors, which
enables us to be able to satisfy the needs of all types
of users,” says Miles. “These range from entry level
speakers and media player docking stations through
to advanced 5.1 surround speaker sets and high end
multimedia speakers with the look, feel and sound
of top end hi-fi speakers”

www.pcretailmag.com

PC SPEAKERS

Hercules XPS2.1
50 Speakers
MicroP
SRP: £39.99
Designed to be shown
off, the Hercules XPS
2.1 50 comprises of a
ported wooden
subwoofer with bass
control and two
magnetically shielded
wide-band satellites. It
is compatible with a
broad variety of
formats such as PC,
Mac, MP3 players, CD and DVD
players, televisions and game

consoles. RMS is 32 watts, with a
peak power of 64 watts.

Sweex USB Speaker
Set 100 watt
Centerprise
SRP: £14.99
With a modern design that
suits any computer, the
Sweex USB Speaker Set
100 Watt enables the user
to enjoy perfect sound.
Plug and play connectivity
allows users to simply
connect the speakers via
the USB connection and
since the speakers draw
power via the USB, no
wall power point is
required. The speaker set
includes a built-in stereo
amplifier and is
magnetically shielded.

Trust SoundForce Vivo 2.1
Interactive Ideas
SRP: £29.99
A stylish 2.1 speaker set that
includes a wooden subwoofer with

Hercules XPS 2.0 60
MicroP
SRP: £69.99
Hercules says that
the launch of the
XPS 2.0 60
Hercules heralded a
new era in the
design and
manufacture of
multimedia
speakers for people
who want to listen
to music on their
home computers. It
also has wooden
satellites, multiple
connectivity

a total RMS power output of 42
Watt. The powerful subwoofer gives
a deep and solid bass to boost any
music and gaming experience. The
set includes an easily accessible
wired remote with volume
control, power
switch and
headphone
connection and
features a
convenient extra
line-in
connection on
the remote
control for iPod
or other portable
media player.

and can be connected to a number
of devices including PCs, CD and
MP3 players and game consoles.
This magnetically shielded system
features a three-inch subwoofer and
two 2.5-inch satellites and carries a
simply plug and play connection.

Sandberg Panther Sound
2.1 Speaker System
Interactive Ideas
SRP: £27.99
The Sandberg Panther Sound 2.1
is a smart amplified speaker set
comprising of a subwoofer and
two satellite speakers. The
subwoofer gives a strong bass,
while the satellite speakers
produce pure treble. The set
includes a cabled remote control
allowing the user to easily adjust
the volume. The set uses a
normal headphone connector, so
it also works with devices other
than a computer, such as MP3
players and TVs.

DISTRIBUTORS
CENTERPRISE:
01256 378 000

www.pcretailmag.com

MICRO-P SOUTH:
01256 707 070

MICRO-P NORTH:
01282 776 776

INTERACTIVE IDEAS:
0208 805 1000

PCRetail February 45

MONITORS AND DISPLAYS

Monitor progress
Declining desktop sales and reduced consumer spending have played havoc with the display
industry over the past year. But though the future looks stormy, the growing consumer trend
towards widescreen and HD technology means that blue skies are out there as Matt Grainger
finds out when he speaks to the industry...
“I can foresee casualties in
the market. In particular within
the branded sector in Europe,
whether it be office closures
of the discontinuing of brands.
It will become very difficult to
compete next year.”
Martin Kent,
Hannspree

Martin Kent

www.pcretailmag.com

ast year was a tough one for monitor sales.
Initially, things all looked very rosy for LCD
sales, which have steadily replaced CRT as the
format of choice. Rising demand for laptops and the
emergence of the netbook category actually created
demand that far outweighed the available supply and
as a result LCD panel vendors reported treble profits
during the second quarter.
However, the credit crunched and demand dried
up in the major consumer nations of Europe and the
US. The heavily competitive LCD industry was
forced to cut prices to entice the consumer market
back in to spending and to avoid stock piling.
However, prices slid further and at the beginning of
2009 LG, Sharp and AU Optronics announced plans
to cut back production in order to stabilise prices.
“Last year was a hard one for monitor sales,” says
Hannspree’s territory manager for the UK and
Northern Europe, Martin Kent. “In general, year-onyear sales decreased, however, we were still very
pleased with what we achieved. HannsG’s market
share in the UK remained very high – in Q3 2008
HannsG was placed sixth for UK market share based
on monitor sales.”

L

An example of the doldrums that the sector has
found itself in is illustrated by Samsung’s financial
results at the end of Q3 2008. Despite selling a
record 51.8 million units and being one of the few
companies in the sector to actually post a profit, the
reduced end prices and low demand saw Samsung’s
operating profit fall by a gut-wrenching 44 per cent.
The end result of all this is that it’s now a buyer’s
market out there, which puts the retailer in an
interesting position. Costs are likely to fluctuate over
the coming months as the vendors try to stave off
slumping prices, but overall they should be lower
than at the beginning of 2008. However, margins will
be tighter as the consumer expects to pay less and
the multiples are likely to keep retail prices down.
“In the current economic climate, price will
become one of the main driving factors for the
market,” continues Kent. “Unfortunately, I can
foresee casualties in the market as a consequence. In
particular within the branded sector in Europe,
whether it be office closures or the discontinuing of
brands. It will become very difficult to compete in
the market unless you are a panel manufacturer or
directly affiliated to one.”

PCRetail February 47

MONITORS AND DISPLAYS

Hannspree XM New York
MicroP
SRP: £129.99
The first monitor from the series to
be launched is the new Hannspree
New York, a superb 19-inch
widescreen monitor inspired by the
ultra modern, industrial and
mechanical styling of New York.
The monitor looks sleek and
refined, housed in bold black. It
boasts a super fast five-ms response
time, 150 degree viewing angle and
1,440 x 900 high definition display.

It also includes a high contrast ratio
ensuring high quality, cinematic
high definition images.

HP DreamColor LP2480zx
Westcoast
SRP: £1,848

The HP DreamColor LP2480zx
Professional LCD Display is the
world’s only colour-critical LCD
based on HP’s DreamColor Engine
technology. This uniquely
affordable monitor delivers broad
colour support, rich visual quality,
and consistent results. It allows
unprecedented colour fidelity
through a tri-colour LED backlight;
work with deeper colours, CRTclass black, and programmable
white all on a 24-inch diagonal
wide-aspect screen.

HannsG HG281DJ
Ingram Micro
SRP: £399
The new 28-inch widescreen,
HG281DJ monitor from HannsG is
the perfect choice for all high
definition needs. Sporting a HDMI
port and a 1,920 x 1,200 WUXGA
true 1,080p resolution, the HG281DJ
monitor displays high definition
content in its true entirety. The
HG281DJ delivers a spectacularly
rich colour palette and crisp, sharp
images without lag for the ultimate
high definition experience.

Samsung McKinley
SM923NW
Westcoast
SRP: £112
Created as part of a range of
monitors, this display is
designed to allow users greater
freedom and flexibility to
create their optimum working
environment. Elegant and slim,
with superior technical
specifications and outstanding
features, this 19-inch monitor
carries a resolution of 1,440 x
900 with a contrast ration of
1,000:1.

HannsG HG221AP
Ingram Micro
SRP: £109.99
The new HannsG HG221AP
boasts a high end technical
specification. Offering a high
resolution widescreen display
and a decent five-ms response
time to ensure visual clarity,
the HG221AP is a truly
outstanding visual performer
for multimedia applications
and more than qualified for
standard computing tasks. The
HG221AP also boasts a high

The VW246H offers full high
definition 1,080p for highresolution digital content display
combined with an HDMI interface.
Features a 16:9 wide screen and its
1,920 x 1,080 resolution is high
definition optimised. The ASUS
Smart Contrast Ratio technology
automatically adjusts the luminance
of the backlight for better displays
and improves the contrast ratio to
20,000:1 – resulting in more
realistic depictions of night scenes
during games or movies.

Like the VW246H, the VK offers
full high definition 1,080p with a
screen resolution of 1,920 x 1,080
and an HDMI interface. However,
the VK includes a built-in 1.3
megapixel webcam, making it easy
to conduct face-to-face live
conversations. The webcam
features smart exposure value
control technology to compensate
for poor lighting conditions and
brings good image quality in
comparison to that of the most
consumer stand-alone webcams.

Asus VK266H
VIP
SRP: £386.96
The VW266H features full high
definition 1,080p together with an
integrated webcam and HDMI
interface. Its 16:10 wide screen
with 1,920 x 1,200 resolution
supports full 1,080p vision. This
monitor is fully interoperable with
other devices such as Blu-ray
players, DVD players and consoles.
Various PC and video inputs and
outputs link all gears into one LCD
monitor, including HDMI, DVI, Dsub, PC audio input, SPDIF audio
output and earphone jack.

Asus VH242H
VIP
SRP: £238.58
This 23.6-inch 16:9 wide
screen, like the other
Asus offerings, features a
full high definition
optimised 1,920 x 1,080
resolution and an HDMI
interface. The VH242H
carries smart contrast
ratio and Splendid video
intelligence technology
for an enhanced visual
and colour experience.

Edge10 T171
Bluepoint
SRP: £94
The hard glass T series range of
LCD Monitors from Edge10 is
designed for any environment. As
well as the obvious advantage of
protecting the LCD panel, the
special glass improves the visual
experience to the user by raising
the colour intensity and
enhancing the sharpness of the
image. The monitor is ideal for
wall mounting with VESA 75
compliance and coupled with
the anti-glare glass makes this
the perfect monitor for
professional installations.

LaCie 320
Bluepoint
SRP: £749
A perfect match for graphics
professionals, this 20-inch monitor
is equipped with a uniformityenhanced A-TW-IPS LCD panel,
which delivers a CRT-grade 72 per
cent NTSC gamut, high brightness,
and a strong contrast ratio of
700:1. With exceptional 12-bit
gamma correction, the smoothest
colour gradients can be
reproduced.

Iiyama ProLite E2208HDS
Bluepoint
SRP: £149
The ProLite E2208HDS
widescreen LCD is the
first to feature true high
definition, 16:9, 1920 x
1080 pixels as its native
resolution. Impressive
colour reproduction is
achieved with a typical
contrast ratio of 1000:1
with the user option to
enhance further with

www.pcretailmag.com

Advanced Contrast Ratio enabled
for 10,000:1.

Distributors
Bluepoint:
0870 121 8001

VIP:
0871 622 7500

Ingram Micro:
0870 405 3000

Westcoast:
01189 126 000

Micro-P:
(North) 01282 776 776
(South) 01256 707 070

PCRetail February 49

Revolutionary home
security from Logitech

Logitech® Outdoor Video
Security Master System

Logitech® Indoor Video
Security Master System

• Easy setup gets you up and running fast for
immediate viewing – no new wires to run, no
network configuration

• Easy setup gets you up and running fast for
immediate viewing – no new wires to run, no
network configuration

• Flexible PC-viewing options let you see live
footage or store it on your hard drive for
later replay

• Flexible PC-viewing options let you see live
footage or store it on your hard drive for
later replay
• Motion-activated cell-phone* and e-mail alerts
quickly update you when you’re on the go
• Free remote viewing via the Internet allows you to
log into a secure, Web-based account to view live
video online – anywhere, anytime
SRP

£249 inc VAT

Outdoor Add-On
Camera
SRP

£199 inc VAT

• Motion-activated cell-phone* and e-mail alerts
quickly update you when you’re on the go
• Free remote viewing via the Internet allows you to
log in to a secure, Web-based account to view live
video online – anywhere, anytime
• Support for up to six cameras lets you add
Logitech® Indoor, Outdoor or Clock Add-On
Cameras in any combination for
maximum coverage
SRP

£249 inc VAT

Indoor Add-On
Camera
SRP

£199 inc VAT

Logitech® Clock Video
Security Master System
Discreetly monitor your home and business with the
Logitech® Clock Video Security Master System, a
revolutionary video security system you can install in
15 minutes. It’s all plug and play. Using innovative
HomePlug™ technology, the Logitech® Spy Camera
Video Security Master System transmits encrypted
video over existing electrical wires straight to your PC.
SRP

This month, Daniel Doyle from Computer Assist in North Walsham, Norfolk
tells us about his business, the PC industry and his history in it…
I BEGAN building PCs and carrying out
repairs in 1994 as an outside interest,
which very soon developed into a part
time business. Initially the business was
based out of rented premises, but upon
receiving my severance payout from my
previous job, I was able to buy out the
current property in 2000 and run it full
time. I was joined by my wife Penny and
my son Liam, who initially came in to
help after school and later after college,
and is now a full partner in the business.
The business grew and we soon
became so busy that employing staff
became a necessity. We currently run
with three full-time technicians and one
part-time, all trained in house to our very
high standards. I am always searching for
new ideas to expand the business and am
a great believer in trade bodies.
Our current premises used to be a
bakers with a restaurant, which converted
gives us a nice large workshop capable of
carrying out ten simultaneous PC repairs
plus have printer and other repairs all
ongoing at the same time. As retail is

becoming increasingly difficult with
etailers often selling below our cost price,
I often wonder if we really should persist
with retail and just concentrate on our
repairs and services, but that is something
to be decided in the near future.
Computer Assist has constantly
developed and evolved from its humble
beginnings as a system builder with a
simple repair shop to
now being heavily
involved in servers,
networks and storage
solutions. However,
due to our local
geography we spend
many hours on the
road attending to our
clients needs,
something that the
big players in this
industry will never
understand.
At the moment we
are still involved in
retail, but it is

DIARY DATES 2009

seriously down on what it used to be.
We no longer stock plasma TVs and
projectors and so on, as when we have
trialed this sort of product. It has just
resulted in us selling at a loss. However,
our workshop is always busy and I see
this as our most likely future unless the
industry wakes up and starts to work with
profit instead of turnover.

The channel’s calendar is full of important events.
Here are some upcoming highlights…

FEBRUARY 2009

MARCH 2009

MAY 2009

DISTREE EMEA
February 9th – 12th
Monte Carlo
The channel event linking the whole
of the EMEA channel, from the southern tip of
Africa, right the way across to the Alaskan
coast of Russia, and of course the UK and
Western Europe, returns – and this time it’s
taking place in Monte Carlo. It caters for
everyone in the channel, from the vendor and
distributor, right the way through to end users.

CeBIT 2009
March 3rd – 8th
Hannover Fair, Hannover, Germany
CeBIT is one of the world’s largest technology
exhibitions where major vendors show off their
2009 in the consumer and business
IT channels.

Retail Vision Europe
May 18th
Berlin, Germany
This year’s event looks set to build upon the
positive response gained from the 2008 show,
which was praised for its tight focus and
networking opportunties.

PC Retail Awards 2009
March 19th
Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London
The PC Retail Awards return for a second year.
With all the categories from last year’s event –
and the addition of the new Industry
Achievement Award – this year’s is set to be
the social event of the calendar for anyone
involved in the PC retail sector, and a well
deserved celebration for the nominees.

Channel Expo
May 21st – 22nd
NEC,
Birmingham
The channel’s
premiere trade
show, Channel
Expo returns to
Birmingham’s NEC
and is set to be just
as influential as ever. With key director and
managerial level attendees, and the biggest
names in the channel exhibiting, it really is the
only place to get an idea of what the year
ahead holds for not just retailers, but also
resellers, VARs and service providers.

PCA Northern Conference and OGM
February 17th
Holiday Inn, Manchester Airport, Wilmslow
The PCA heads to Wilmslow, Manchester for its
annual northern conference and OGM. Last
year’s event saw Dell detail its UK partner
programme to the channel for the first time,
and this year will see key speakers from
channel giants including Intel, Samsung and
Sony. The event also plays host to the year’s
first social event of the PCA calendar: the
conference dinner.

If you would like to promote your event, please contact andrew.wooden@intentmedia.co.uk
This information is believed to be correct, but potential visitors should confirm details with show organisers before making arrangements to attend

www.pcretailmag.com

PCRetail February 51

There are a few recruitment
agencies in our industry so to
make sure you are working
with the right one - whether
you are a client or a candidate,
take a look at this simple
check list. Tick a box if you
think it's important. If you tick
the boxes then get in touch.

Experience

We have been working within the games and new media industries for 22 years. That
means we are pretty experienced. It also means that along with a few laughter lines
we've also collected an unrivalled database of contacts. We know people. We've either
placed for them or placed them. Tick the box if you think this is important.

Attitude

For us it's about people. So we'll deal with you on a one to one basis. Senior industry
figures trust us and engage with us as part of their team. We like to cut through corporate claptrap. If you like to as well then tick the box.

Trends

To keep ahead of the rest we stay informed. We believe it is vital to be at the forefront
of forecasting and understanding new trends within the industry. Do you?

Difference

We are trained in life coaching. This gives us a better insight into role requirements
and candidate ability which allows us to ensure the right people are matched with the
right roles. Do you want to make a difference?

Thank you for ticking all our boxes. If you want to be a client or a
candidate then contact us using the details below.

anoPoint is the UK subsidiary of MaxPoint,
the German manufacturing group and
supplier of high-end PC peripherals,
headquartered at Ahrensburg near Hamburg.
Founded in 2004, NanoPoint forms the UK
distribution arm of the MaxPoint group, which has
brands in Europe, Asia and the United States, each
with its own focus and specific clientele. While the
focus of the group is mainly on the manufacture
and supply of PSUs, the result of the varied
specialisation is that NanoPoint can draw upon a
wide range of products to bring a broad portfolio to
its clients.
As an example of this, a look at a few of
NanoPoint’s suppliers in the PSU sector shows the
variety of clientele that the company can cater for.
Tagan produces a range of power supplies aimed at
gamers and enthusiasts, Seasonic produces a range
of high-end efficient, reliable and silent units and

N

“The MaxPoint Group always
aims to satisfy its clientele
and offers a well-adapted
overall portfolio in the power
supply market. Other strong
products include high-end
PC cases, keyboards and
laptop bags.”

www.pcretailmag.com

NanoPoint has a wide variety of products in its
range, making it an invaluable supplier of PC
peripherals. Matt Grainger talks to Nathan
Walters about the challenges ahead and
what’s in store for the firm...
Etasis manufactures PSUs for server applications
such as redundant PS or IPC.
The MaxPoint Group claims it always aims to
satisfy its clientele and offers a well-adapted overall
portfolio in the power supply market.
However, the business is not limited to the
power supply sector; other strong products include
high-end PC cases, keyboards and laptop bags.
The company’s product portfolio also extends to
server racks, external enclosures, NAS systems and
Backplane systems, as well as SOHO and RAID
partition systems.
NanoPoint has seen some profound changes to
the market over the last year and, like many
businesses, has found that its core business market
is shrinking.
“Many new brands have joined the power supply
market and it is now flooded with a huge range of
wattages and features,” says NanoPoint’s Nathan

PCRetail February 53

COMPANY PROFILE:

NanoPoint doesn’t just stock power supplies. Its range
includes a variety of peripherals including NAS devices
and multimedia players

Walters. “However, many budget power supplies are
now available. The power supply is the heart of any
computer system, providing power to components,
and I must stress that the importance of providing
stable and efficient power should be a top priority
when building any system, which is why we only
offer high quality and premium brands, such as the
Icy Box. The last twelve months have been very
positive for this product. With such a huge range and
support for all types of hard drive, it is important for
us to be constantly updating our product portfolio to
ensure that the latest features and technology is
supported.”
As befits a national distribution arm, NanoPoint’s
goal is to use the service and product portfolio of the
whole MaxPoint group to offer innovative products,
but with service as a prime focus. Walters attributes
the success of NanoPoint to this emphasis on good
customer service, as well as to the continuing
research and development that is undertaken by its
partners at MaxPoint and RaidSonic.
“The most important thing to look out for when
purchasing any type of product from anywhere is a
good service and quality,” continues Walters.
“NanoPoint offers a great service and a very high
standard in quality products. Our sales team will treat
all accounts with care, ensuring that you’re
purchasing the correct product for your needs, and
will keep all account holders up to date with the
latest products.”
NanoPoint places a strong emphasis on good
quality products such as its IB-NAS4220-B, a
two-bay network attached storage device
for 3.5-inch SATA hard drives with
RAID support that can allow seven
servers in one.
“This is a very good seller at the
moment and during the launch of

54 PCRetail February

“Raising the company profile
and gaining more resellers
who can purchase direct
from us will be our aim over
the next twelve months. We
are also looking to take back
the market share which has
previously been lost to
budget brands.”
Nathan Walters,
NanoPoint

the product we struggled to meet demand for the first
month as we were overwhelmed with the response.”
NanoPoint has also branched into the lifestyle
storage market by offering fully functional multimedia
players. Its key product in this category is the IBMP3010-HW, which has wireless capabilities,
allowing media files to be shared from a network,
and includes a record function and HDMI interface.
The firm also continues to see popularity with
all Tagan power supplies for both the
modular and standard models.
For the time being, with
the economic
climate

making things difficult for all businesses, NanoPoint is
looking to continue to maintain its highly stable
operation. However, Walters maintains that having a
relatively small team makes things much easier
during such times and the continuing strategy of
honing its ability to forecast demand and cultivating
excellent relationships with its long-term customers
means that NanoPoint is able to keep ahead of the
market with new ideas and innovations for the
future.
“For a manufacturer it keeps us out there in the
field with many different solutions to offer,” he says.
“So raising the company profile and gaining more
resellers who can purchase direct from us will be our
aim over the next twelve months. We are also
looking to take back the market share which has
previously been lost to budget brands who do not
offer the quality and premium kit
that is available from
NanoPoint.”

Charity Golf
and Spa Day
The 2009 Annual Charity Golf and Spa Event will be held at the prestigious Grove
course which is widely regarded as one of the finest golf courses in Europe and
recently hosted the World Golf Championships and American Express Championship
2006. It's time to test your skills here for charity and see how you compare to Tiger.
The event will consist of 18 holes of golf with buggies provided, followed by a 3 course
awards dinner in the impressive Grove Hotel. We have also arranged for exclusive use
of the Grove’s Sequoia Spa’s indoor pool and fitness facilities, including at least one
hour of treatments, for non-golf playing partners, friends or colleagues we negotiated
reduced rates in the hotel if you are too “tired” to go home at the end of the night please quote ‘Charity Golf and Spa Day’ when booking accomodation.
Contact the hotel at 01923 296010
Discount Prices: Standard Room - £220.00 Superior Room Single Occupancy £240.00

www.gamesaid.org

The Grove Golf Club,
Chandlers Cross, Herts
14th May 2009
If you are interested in sponsoring or participating,
contact Richard Stickler on 01279 822832 or at richards@gem.co.uk

www.golfandspaday.com

GAMES

Game of the Month
F.E.A.R 2: PROJECT ORIGIN WARNER GAMES
Distributor: Centresoft
Available: February 13th
Price: £34.99
Taking place shortly after
the first game, Project
Origin once again plunges
players into the dark and
paranormal world of
F.E.A.R.
Focusing on Delta Force
Operative Michael Becket,
F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin
continues the story of the
mysterious and powerful
psychic child named Alma.

Following a rise in
paranormal activity,
Becket must track down
and stop Alma before she
changes and distorts our
reality with her own.
The first game was
widely praised by critics,
and sold well. Initial
indications are that the
sequel will do the
same, making it an
ideal game to stock if
you're looking for a
way of boosting your
margins this month.

COMING SOON

It’s February and some of the biggest titles of the year will be coming out this
month. Empire: Total War may have been pushed back, but The Sims 3 wasnt...

This month, PC Retail takes a look at Panasonic’s new bridge camera, the FZ28, and Microsoft’s
new Sidewinder X6 – a gaming keyboard with a massive 30 programmable keys...

PANASONIC FZ28

MICROSOFT SIDEWINDER X6

Bridge Digital Camera
Direktek: 01494 471 100
Price: £239.99

Gaming Keyboard
Realtime: 01480 435 881
Price: £69.99

in action. And while the
he FZ28 is a surprisingly
camera’s 2.7-inch LCD is a
compact camera and
modest upgrade from its
thanks to a predominantly
predecessor – the FZ18’s 2.5plastic build it is lightweight but,
inch screen – it’s a good screen
quite sturdy in the hand. There
with bright colours and good
are no creaks or groans from
detail even in brighter
poorly fitting body parts here.
conditions.
This so called ‘bridge’ design
Backing up the LCD is an
offers good handling; the shutter
electronic viewfinder, which is
release sits recessed with the
disappointingly still affected by
lens’ zoom lever; the release
lens flare.
provides the normal dual
Although it
pressures to turn
on metering and This is a superb, easy has a rather
harsh plastic
focus with the
to use and wellsurround, it
first, the second
firing the shutter,
specified camera provides an
easier method
but the pressure
able to produce
of composition,
between them is
if bright
too slight.
stunning shots.
conditions
Here you also
make using the LCD hard.
access Panasonic’s clever iA
There is a manual focus
(intelligent Auto) mode, which
option, but the combination of
chooses the ‘correct’ camera
using the small back plate
setting for you dependent on
joystick and the screen’s
what’s presented to the lens.
magnified section that helps
This works unerringly well but
you get things sharp, is a tad
does mean choice manual
cumbersome.
control treats, such as
In other words, this is a
combined JPEG and RAW
superb, easy to use and wellcapture, are not available,
specified camera able to
which remain the preserve of
produce stunning shots. Overall,
the manual control modes.
a good balance between
Kit such as the Face
features, control and image
Detection AF, which can now
quality provide an excellent
track up to 15 faces in a scene
all round, surprisingly compact
– an impressive feat indeed –
package.
works really well as you watch it

T

this particular section all the
icrosoft has long hoped
more important. Getting all 30
to rule the roost with PC
close together for those kind of
gaming peripherals, and
titles that require frequent
the sleek SideWinder X6 keyboard
button presses is an treat.
is its latest attempt at grabbing
What makes these 30
this huge share of the market.
programmable keys all the more
Immediately you’ll be aware
appealing is the included
of the keyboard’s ample size. At
software which allows you to
over 20-inches wide and nearly
assign specific configurations for
ten-inches deep at its lengthiest,
different games. All you need to
those of you with already
do is simply load up your game
cramped desks may need to
of choice, and the keyboard will
get the tape measures out
automatically
before making
configure the key
any form of
It’s a comfortable layout desired for
purchase.
that particular title.
The X6 packs
keyboard that
Not only handy,
a removable
packs a number of but easy to use.
keypad, which
One of the best
you can attach features that make
features is the
at either end of
the price tag seem ability to record
the keyboard.
these simple
It’s a
pitful.
macros. For those
particularly
of you whose only
nice touch for
macro experience is during dull
gamers who have always
lessons with Excel that may
craved their numbers at the
mean little, but to WoW players
opposite end to the usual
in particular it could prove a
keyboard standard. It all slots
major selling point. Actions that
together via a magnetic
could take a half dozen
contact, which feels not only
separate presses can now be
well made, but something that
easily chopped right down to
won’t fail you no matter how
one swift push of a button.
many times you shift the keypad.
For gamers, there’s little to
The biggest selling point for
sway anyone against the
gamers is the 30 programmable
SideWinder X6. It’s a
keys. The first 12 are set to the
comfortable keyboard that
left of the keyboard, with the
packs a number of features that
rest set out on the keypad,
make the price tag seem pitiful.
making the customisability of

M

GFK

WRITTEN BY:
SEAN FELLOWS

Are there still Blu skies
for the stand-alone
multi-disk drive
market?
With sales of internal DVD-RW drives declining thanks to
the fact they are increasingly becoming the standard in
new PCs, does high definition, and in particular Blu-ray,
hold the key to revitalising this once strong market?
ast year was not a positive year for the multi-disk
drive market, which saw sales fall by 11 per cent in
volume and one per cent in value, when
comparing November 2008’s figures against those of
2007. The multi-disk drive market is one that is
predominately associated with upgrading or enhancing
your PC. Multi-disk drives still remain dominated by the
DVD-RW drive which holds a 92 per cent share for
November 2008, and which has remained consistently
above 90 per cent for the past 23 months. Evidence
would suggest that this market has already reached its
maturity and will continue to decline in the forthcoming
months. However, further analysis could prove that this
market segment is far from finished.
In November, 68 per cent of the DVD-RW drives
were internal, which one can assume will be used to
go inside a desktop computer. However, for a long
time now desktop computers have been falling out of
favour with the consumer, which is opting for the
mobility of a laptop or netbook, but are by their
nature, harder to upgrade. Subsequently, sales of
desktop computers have been in steep decline, which
has not helped the once resilient upgrade aspect of
the multi-disk drive market. This is a possible explanation
for why the internal versus external share is wavering
towards external DVD-RW. Furthermore, when looking
at the types of optical drives that laptops are being
installed with, 81 per cent came with a DVD-RW and
86 per cent in desktops during October 2008.
Nonetheless there could be still hope for the multidisk drive manufacturers, in the form of the high
definition drive segment. Combining sales of HD-DVD
and Blu-ray drives, this segment has managed to hold
four per cent volume and 16 per cent value share for
November 2008. This growth has helped to keep the
decline of the market small. When you then look at
the PC market compared to the DVD-RW, it is
possible to see that there is still an opportunity for the
upgrade market, as only one per cent of desktop PCs
have a high definition drive pre-installed.

L

60 PCRetail February

What is even more promising is the fact that the
premium you have to pay for a desktop computer
with a high definition drive makes it cheap to buy a
desktop PC and internal high definition drive
separately. The average price of desktop with a high
definition drive pre-installed in October was £955,
while the average price of an internal high definition
drive for the same month was £133, and a desktop
computer with just a DVD-RW pre-installed was
£403. The consumer would make a saving of £419 if
they bought the normal PC and Blu-ray drive –
enough to buy another computer if they were so

inclined! Even if the consumer didn’t know how to
upgrade their desktop, they could purchase an
equivalent external drive for £192 and still make a
huge saving of £360 over buying a new computer.
As a result, there still maybe a ray of light for this
market. However, as the differential between
computers with a high definition drive and those
without continue to be eroded over time, the
standalone multi-disk drive market is only set to
further decline. It will not be until Blu-ray becomes
widely adopted by the consumer that we will see this
decline ease off in the market.

www.pcretailmag.com

THE PLACE FOR BUSINESS

MARKETPLACE
RETAIL
COMMENT

The greatest show
on Earth...
his year’s CES was a watershed one.
Not because of Windows 7 or any
other announcement, but because
with a global downturn in full swing, the
eyes of the world were on Las Vegas to see
what the tech industry had up its sleeve.
Sony used the event to unveil a raft of
new products, including new digital
cameras and camcorders, but the gadget
that stole the show at the vendor’s stand
was it new Vaio-P range. The new line
shares the same footprint as a netbook, but
comes with the power of a full-sized
laptop. You can read more about it, and
Sony’s other announcements on page 72.
AMD also had a big show, unveiling its
Dragon desktop platform, which it hopes
will capture the niche – but highly
profitable – gaming market. The hardware
isn’t the only thing it expects will drive
adoption of the platform: it is also hoping
its price point will entice even the most
ardent of Intel and Nvidia fans towards it,
with the firm boldly claiming it is over
£1,000 cheaper than a comparitive system.
You can turn to page 76 to find out more.
Palm also had a good show. After a
couple of years being out in the dark, it
found itself at the centre of many CESflavored conversations thanks to its Pre
smartphone: more details about the hotly
anticipated phone are on page 80.
And it wouldn’t be CES without some
futuristic gadgets. This year’s superstar
came in the form of Powermat’s wireless
charging solution, more about which is on
page 86. We can see this one being a
genuine winner; especially if it stops us
from having to spend several hours a
month untangling power cables.

Sunbelt vows to shake up UK security sector
Vendor claims market has been 'dominated for too long by
traditional approaches that don't meet the demands of customers'
S security software vendor
Sunbelt Software has
announced plans to shake up
the UK security market, after it
signed a distribution deal with
Interactive Ideas.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;The antivirus market in Europe
has been dominated for too long by
traditional approaches that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t
meet the demands that our
customers now have for security and
performance,â&#x20AC;? stated director for
international sales, John-Erich
Mantius. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Too many security
solutions are now a collection of
different pieces of software bolted
onto a core, which only ends up
making it resource intensive and not

U

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Too many security
solutions are now just
a collection of
different pieces of
softwareâ&#x20AC;?
John-Erich Mantius,
Sunbelt Software

very responsive,â&#x20AC;? he told PC Retail.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve taken a different approach
and built up our security solution
from the ground up.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Interactive Ideas provides us with
an ideal way to reach our target
markets, through both the consumer

retail channel, as well as a
significant corporate valueadded reseller community,â&#x20AC;?
continued Mantius.
Interactive Ideasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; managing
director Mike Trup echoed
his comments: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are
looking forward to supporting
Sunbeltâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expansion in the UK
and Ireland across the
consumer, small business and
enterprise markets.â&#x20AC;?

Midwich makes its
move on European
projector lamp market
idwich has announced
plans to enter the European
market with its projector
lamp business, with the distributor
saying the increase in volume will
mean more availability for its UK
customers, as well as better pricing
thanks to increased buying power.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;As the largest projector distributor
in Europe, it is a natural aspiration to
become the largest lamp distributor,â&#x20AC;?
said Midwich divisional director,
Darren Lewitt. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have invested in
a huge stockholding portfolio to
support our pan-European launch so
more stock will be available for our
UK customers to call on.â&#x20AC;?
The distributor also expanded its

range of specialist auto-ID equipment
through its specialist division
Synergix. The firm claims a deal with
HTC will strengthen Synergix
presence in the market.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Midwich has a strong presence in
the IT reseller market and an
exceptional reputation for customer
service, making us the ideal supplier
for HTC's convergent devices,â&#x20AC;?
commented Midwichâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s auto-ID sales
manager Alain Picard.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;HTC devices are a perfect fit for
our Technology Partner Programme
because most of our ISV partners
develop applications for mobile
technology that runs on the Windows
Mobile 6.1 operating system.â&#x20AC;?

Target broadens its payment
options with introduction of PayPal
Distributor says move shows the firm is willing to listen to feedback from its customers
arget is expanding its payment
options with the
announcement that it will
begin accepting PayPal transactions
for its account holders.
The payment method allows those
who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have credit accounts to
purchase goods without the need to
use their credit or debit card. The
distributor is hoping that the move
will not only help its customers
during difficult times, but also show
that it is responsive to feedback.

T

â&#x20AC;&#x153;They would like to be able to pay for goods
using their PayPal account and we have
listened to themâ&#x20AC;?
Caroline Spillane,
Target Components

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our customers have suggested
that they would like to be able to pay

Simms signs IOGEAR
imms has signed US peripherals
vendor IOGEAR as it prepares
to launch its move into the UK.
The vendor, which produces a
range of KVM and KVM peripherals,
said that the decision to go with
Simms was motivated by its
reputation in the UK retail and
channel markets.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;The combination of IOGEARâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
ground-breaking, unique products
and Simm's expertise in the UK
channel and retail technology
markets, are a perfect combination,â&#x20AC;?

commented IOGEARâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s executive
vice president, Miranda Su.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;We feel its innovation, expertise
and enthusiasm for this growing
market perfectly complements
Simms policy of working with
vendors who provide best of breed
product that offer real business
opportunities for resellers and
solutions for their customers,â&#x20AC;?
added Simmsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sales and marketing
director.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;We look forward to a long and
fruitful partnership,â&#x20AC;? added Su.

for goods using their PayPal account
and we have listened to them,â&#x20AC;? said

Targetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marketing manager Caroline
Spillane. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will continue to take
debit and credit card payments for
customers who do not have credit
accounts with us.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are just adding to the ways of
payment we offer our customers,â&#x20AC;?
added Spillane.
PayPal is a third party ecommerce
business that allows payments and
money transfers to be made through
the internet. It charges a fee to
handle payment processing online.

Roxio partners up
for new markets
oxio has
signed a new
distribution
deal, which it hopes
will lead to it
breaking into
markets it does not
traditionally have a
presence in, such as
the education,
charity and not-forprofit sectors.
The deal with specialist
software distributor Douglas
Stewart EDU covers its Roxio
Creator 2009 creative suite, as
well as its market leading Mac
duplication software Roxio Toast
10 Titanium and Roxio WinOnCD
2009 for PC.
Speaking about the deal,

R

Roxioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s retail sales
director Steven
Mold said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are
confident that this
new partnership
with Douglas
Stewart EDU will
enable the Roxio
brand to further
expand into the
education and nonprofit sectors.â&#x20AC;?
â&#x20AC;&#x153;We feel Roxioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s products have
a great reputation and will deliver
great benefits to schools, colleges,
universities, as well as non-profit
organisations who are looking to
make more of their digital media
and data,â&#x20AC;? added managing
director of Douglas Stewart EDU,
Lori Mercier.

Is Horlicks exciting?
This month, PCA chief Keith Warburton reveals an ongoing fascination for hot malt drinks...
I’M EMBARRASSED to admit that when I saw that
Horlicks is aiming to re-position its advertising for an
up-coming campaign, I was rather excited. And let‘s
face it, it takes quite a lot for something as mundane
as your grandmother’s favourite bedtime drink to
become exciting. But it was the very fact that I found
the story interesting that was, in itself, exciting.
Of course, exciting is a word much beloved of the
marketing clan, and much abused by them –
laughably so sometimes. Every new product, latest
revision or re-launch is occasion for near-orgasmic
joy, according to the marketers. Oh yes, I forgot to
say, I neither like nor use the expression ‘marketeer’.
Who coined it, I wonder? Was it someone who
needed to make their career sound more exciting and
fancied a subliminal link to Alexandre Dumas’ Three
Musketeers, or to those heroic not-quite-pirates of
the Elizabethan high seas, the privateers?
These days, more than ever before, players in this
marketplace of ours, especially resellers, could
probably stand to learn a bit from both musketeers
and privateers. They have to be courageous – very
often they feel out on a limb, without decent support
– and unless they think on their feet they stand a
chance of being sunk without trace (or stabbed in the
back) with nobody to mourn their passing. If they are
successful then there’s a good chance that they will
be sniped at by others jealous of their progress.
Support from their fellows is an important element in
keeping them afloat. That last bit was a plug for trade
associations, in case you hadn’t noticed.
‘What a load of old Horlicks,’ I hear you say. What
has all this got to do with our business? Well, back to
where I started: you might not have noticed, but as
of January 1st there was a new marketing campaign
for Horlicks. The bedtime drink is being repositioned
not as something to help old folk sleep, but as
something to help you unwind after the rigours of
your hectic day, and as such is being aimed at the
over-35 marketplace as opposed to the over-65 one
where it seems to sit at the moment, mumbling to
itself and dunking biscuits. The contents of the jar
remain unchanged but still you say, what has all this
talk of Horlicks got to do with me?
Well, how about this: if an entrenched (i.e.
ancient) brand, in what is apparently a very staid
marketplace can hope to reposition itself to hit a new
demographic, then surely players in our exciting,
dynamic, go-get’em world of technology are capable
of repositioning their offering in order to reach new
users, or indeed of making use of existing users to
generate better profits by providing them with new
products. Or simply using existing products in new

and innovative ways.
If you are in a situation where your margins are
falling and you have to do the breathless trick of
running faster just to stay still, then it makes sense to
maximise your assets. Your biggest asset is your
(presumably happy) customer base. They trust you,
or at least they should, so sell them new products
and services – incremental business. You have the
choice: sell existing products to new customers, or
new products to existing customers. I know which is
easiest, and most profitable. And if you present it
right, it can even sound exciting.
We’ll have some really exciting products for you,
and some speakers offering insight into new profit
areas, at the PCA Conference on February 17th, in
Manchester. Have a look at our website for more
details on what companies such as Intel, Sony,
Samsung, Synaxon and FixItLocal are offering to do
for you and your business over the coming year.
Gosh, is that the time? I’m ready for my Ovaltine.
I don’t particularly like Horlicks.

“You have the choice:
sell existing products to
new customers, or sell
new products to existing
customers”

KEITH WARBURTON IS THE CEO OF THE PROFESSIONAL COMPUTING
ASSOCIATION, THE 15-YEAR-OLD, NOT-FOR-PROFIT TRADE BODY WITH
MEMBERSHIP MADE UP OF BUSINESSES FROM ALL PARTS OF THE CHANNEL.
VISIT WWW.PCASSOCIATION.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION OR
CALL 0845 634 9245.
66 PCRetail February

www.pcretailmag.com

MAC TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION

Strange times
This month, Robert Peckham looks back at a watershed Macworld Conference and Expo event
and looks over a month that saw a swathe of consolidation within the Mac reseller channel...
reparing this column each month always proves to
be a challenge, either because there are usually
too many issues to write about, or simply not
enough. And remember, it takes this column a month to
appear, so forward-guessing what will be the hot topic in
four weeks time is another challenge in itself.
But this month, I thought I’d highlight some recent
Apple channel developments that might indicate where
the market is generally heading, and how the market
will possibly fare in the current economic climate.
As I write this, MacWorld Expo in San Francisco is
happening, and along with all the usual extraordinary
sales statistics that Apple is still racking up, the keynote
announced updates to the superb iMovie, iPhoto and
GarageBand as part of its new version of iLife as well as
Apple’s increasingly credible alternative to Microsoft
Office, iWork. It also announced a restyled MacBook Pro
17-inch – nothing too surprising there then.
But the really big question on every journalist’s list
was ‘where was Steve Jobs’? After Apple announced that
he wouldn’t be presenting the keynote for the fist time
since he returned to Apple nine years ago, the longstanding rumours of his ill health were confirmed a few
days before MacWorld opened. But he didn’t appear at
the show at all – even as a visitor – and now there’s also
reports that he’s not been seen around Apple’s Cupertino

P

“Square’s takeover of GHC
give it a well-established and
much admired business in the
midlands and north”
HQ since November.
And what’s happening in the UK? In early December,
Square Group took over Gordon Harwood Computers –
better known as GHC – based in Derbyshire. Square has
been a member of the Mac Association for a couple of
years, and is weathering the current economic storm

with admirable skill and judgement. Its take over of
GHC gives it a well-established and much admired
business in the region, plus superb base from which to
cover the midlands and north of the UK, along with an
excellent engineering team. The combination of these
two businesses makes perfect sense.
More of a surprise was the announcement on
Christmas Eve that Trams was taking over Rapid Group.
Trams was once the UK’s largest Apple reseller, selling to
major corporate users throughout London, but its
diversification into Windows hardware, mid-range and
midi-systems over recent years has diluted its claim to
this title. Rapid Group, which are Hampshire-based, has
grown through specialisation in Mac-based digital
imaging systems and services, so the synergy between
the two operations appears less clear. Time will tell how
the new combined group will fare in the Mac market
together.
By an odd coincidence, Square and Rapid were the
only major resellers to have any presence at last year’s
MacExpo UK.
The Apple-channel rumour mill is currently rife with
similar stories and theories of other possible mergers and
take-overs that might or might not happen – all we can
say is watch this space, and let’s hope they’re all Mac
Technology Association Members when it happens.

ROBERT PECKHAM is the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of the MAC TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION,
which began life as The UK Mac–Dealer Association five years ago, and re–branded in 2007
to reflect the changing, consultancy and services–driven business model that many Apple
resellers have now adopted.
WWW.MACTECHNOLOGY.ORG.UK | INFO@MACTECHNOLOGY.ORG | TELEPHONE: 08717 177264

www.pcretailmag.com

PCRetail February 67

ITACS NEWS

NASCR NEWS

Seventh Heaven

£1000s per litre

By By Simon Aronowitz
ITACS Committee Member

By Geoff Carr,
NASCR Committee Member

icrosoft’s Windows Vista has
virtualisation products like VMware – it
often been touted as an
makes it easy to fire up another OS on
opportunity to sell new PCs
one of the machines you have to try out
and software to customers. However,
Windows 7. Once you have familiarised
not everyone in the industry is quite so
yourself with the OS you should then
evangelical about the benefits of it.
look at installing the beta on a range of
Many are aware of the problems with it
hardware. Most of you should have a
such as processor overhead,
couple of computers hanging around.
compatibility and the lack of a repair or
Plug in a spare hard drive and find out
install option. In the
how well this new OS will
words of one ITACS
cope with existing
member: “Where’s
hardware and software;
ITACS is keen to
my f****** repair
check out graphics cards,
get feedback
gone?” Nonetheless,
printer drivers etc, as well
from members
Vista still generates
as your usual software like
good income from
about this beta. anti-virus and Office
services such as XP
suites. Finally, it’s time to
Please take the
downgrades, reg-edits
break it. Turn it on and off
time to test it
to fix networking
whilst it’s booting, see
issues, upgrading
and tell us your what gets broken and then
memory and selling
figure out how it can be
experiences.
new compatible
repaired.
peripherals.
ITACS is keen to get
By the time you
feedback from its members
read this, Windows 7 will have been
about this new beta. Please take the
available in beta more than a month.
time to test it and get involved with the
Some members of ITACS have been
discussions on our forum itacs.org.uk
asked for Windows 7 beta to be installed
/forum3. Once there is a consensus, we
on new computers. It’s obvious there
might be able to get Microsoft to change
will be a demand for this product when
some things to make our lives easier, for
launched, so have you downloaded it
example ensuring the final release
and installed it yet? If not, why not?
incorporates a repair install option.
Consider taking some time out during
A world of new opportunities is
these quiet months to skill yourself up
opening up with Windows 7. Heaven or
on the new technology. Start with
hell: the choice is yours.

n the first of December 2008,
were way in excess of inflation.
in an attempt to help the
However, the biggest rises are going
economy, the rate of VAT
to be foot-bullets for them as the
went down to 15 per cent. It meant
customers are already voting with
very little to most people, literally just
their wallets.
a couple of pence in the pound, yet it
To put it simply, printer vendors:
caused a lot of extra paperwork for
be careful you are not pricing
some businesses. As a
yourselves out of
lot of retail prices are
the market.
rounded to the nearest
Worse yet, it is
Printer
99p anyway, the
not just for the
manufacturers
reduction may not
short term. If a
always have reached
customer ditches
must be careful
the consumer. But of
a printer they
that they are
more interest to many
have decided now
not pricing
of us, on the same day
costs too much to
some of the printer
run, they are
themselves out
manufacturers put
highly unlikely to
the market with
their prices up. Cynics
buy the same
their recent
would say that it was
make ever again.
timed to take
increases for ink. When people are
advantage of the VAT
buying new
change by hiding some
printers they
of the increases. Yet it
regularly tell the
didn’t end there, by the beginning of
story of a Brand X machine they
January 2009, Epson, Canon, Hewlett
once had, but would never touch
Packard, Lexmark and Brother had all
Brand X again because of some
increased their inkjet cartridge prices.
unfortunate aspect.
Of these HP has put prices up the
As we get further into 2009 and
furthest, by a quarter or sometimes
people get further into their belt
even more.
tightening, any manufacturer who
The manufacturers can’t even use
can say that their printer does more
the excuse of keeping up with
prints to the pound is going to sell
inflation as there had already been
more printers and ink, and we all
price rises during the year and these
know that the profit is in the in.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
SPECIALIST COMPUTER
RETAILERS – YOU CAN CONTACT
NASCR ON 08456 440715 OR
VISIT WWW.NASCR.ORG

www.pcretailmag.com

MARKETPLACE BRIGANTIA NEWS

Contact Iain Shaw

Each month, Iain Shaw chooses a topic taken initially
from the Brigantia members forum and provides a
considered response for PC Retail readers…

info@brigantia.com
0870 160 3215
www.brigantia.com

Getting attached in 09
SINCE writing last month’s column, much has
happened in the IT channel and we have seen a
further tightening across all sectors due to the
economic downturn, but with the retail sector
feeling the most pain.
Brigantia members report increases in the
amount of repair and upgrade business, but very
poor retail driven sales. The good news is that the

called have also been asked if they would like to
opt into the Brigantia Directory which gives them a
basic listing within our highly popular indie
postcode locator. The listing raises the profile of a
business within it, but also allows easier two-way
communications between Brigantia, our associates
and the broader indie channel throughout the UK.
Next month I intend to look further into the

changing software opportunities within the indie
channel, given the generally held belief that retail
sales are dead in this sector. I would invite feedback
from anyone with views on this issue. I believe that
there are great opportunities for indies in this
sector, and paraphrasing the words of Mark Twain
on reading his own obituary “reports of the demise
of software retailing are grossly exaggerated!”

Repair and upgrade
opportunties are driving
attachment sales for such
things as components,
peripherals and software; in
particular external hard drives
and other ranges
repair and upgrade opportunities are driving
attachment sales for such things as components,
peripherals and software. The types of peripherals
members report selling include external hard drives
from vendors such as Seagate and Western Digital,
together with many items from the comprehensive
Genius, Antec and Netgear ranges. Software as a
service offerings from the likes of Webroot are also
creating new opportunities for Indies whilst in front
of business end-users. As I mentioned last month,
Brigantia members are also reporting seeing more
and more opportunities around the GPU as endusers look to get more out of their existing hardware.
January has seen Brigantia undertaking a
Herculean task in contacting all 24,000 IT channel
related business to which we have access. Our
specialist call centre has been running red hot as
we have reached out across the length and breadth
of the UK to update our records ready to populate
the Brigantia IT Channel Directory in February. The
feedback has been very interesting, and the number
of businesses that have gone bust is quite
staggering. The result is probably the most
compressive picture of the indie channel which we
now intend to keep updated on a rolling basis. We
will be offering a database clean up service to our
associate member distributors, vendors and service
providers to allow them to update their own
records in a highly cost effective manner. All those

Iain invites opinions from PC Retail readers and will respond though this column
www.pcretailmag.com

PCRetail February 69

COMPANY PROFILE: CARTRIDGE EXPERT

Expert advice
In-store machines that refill ink cartridges have been rising up the list of priorities as green
attitudes become more prevalent among businesses and consumers. Andrew Wooden talks to
Ian McCue, MD and proprietor of Cartridge Expert…
“The company has evolved.
What I think is a driver for
change has been the
technology of the retail
process we’re involved with.
Refilling, to the unitiated,
seems a simple thing to do.
But what most people don’t
understand is that it’s a fairly
sophisticated process.”
Ian McCue,
Cartridge Expert

70 PCRetail February

When, where and by whom was Cartridge
Expert started?
I’m the sole owner of McCUE, of which Cartridge
Expert is an operating division. McCUE was set up in
1991 and Cartridge Expert was set up in 2004.
We’re located in Hedge End near Southampton.

It’s a completely different technology to the
machines we initially produced.

Was the company very different at the start?
It certainly has evolved. One driver for change has
been the technology of the retail process we’re
involved with. Refilling, to the uninitiated, seems to
be a fairly simple thing to do – just get a syringe and
some coloured inks and put it back into the cartridge.
But what most people don’t understand is that there’s
a fairly sophisticated process within the cartridge
itself. And the machines that we’ve developed can
very accurately position the ink within the cartridges
to ensure the proper ink jet action takes place when
it is re-used.

What is your main product focus?
We make machines for use in the retail environment,
for refilling while the customer waits. We’re basically
confined to the United Kingdom and near Europe –
such as France, Belgium, Holland, and Italy. There is
a substantial global market but we have yet to get
into that, including the USA.

How many staff do you currently employ?
We’ve just got ten people, as most of our
manufacturing is subcontracted.

What would you say your main strengths as a
firm are? What differentiates you from your
competitors?
It comes back to the technology – we use a

www.pcretailmag.com

COMPANY PROFILE: CARTRIDGE EXPERT

completely unique method of ink delivery, which is
fully patented. Therefore, when we sell the
machines to a shop, that business is then tied to us
so they have to buy the cassettes of refill ink which
fit into the machine and fit the cartridge type
exactly. Ongoing cassette sales are a key feature of
the technique that we’ve adopted. That’s a patented
process. All the others that do in-store refilling have
to use bulking, with the consequence of handling
and potential spillage.
What were your main achievements in 2008?
We established a stronger foothold in Europe. We
found the right kind of distribution partners – that’s
key to the whole thing. In Italy you’ve got a fairly
limited market for knowledgeable distributors in

“We use a completely unique
method of ink delivery,
which is fully patented.
Therefore, when we sell the
machines to a shop, that
business is then tied to us so
they have to buy refill ink.”
Ian McCue,
Cartridge Expert

this sector. It’s the same with France and
elsewhere. If you can identify the right kind of
trading partner who has got access to the target
market, then it’s much easier to achieve success.

What European countries have you moved in
to so far?
Outside the UK: France, Italy, Belgium, Holland,
Germany, and Ireland. We’ve moved there during
the last two years. Italy, for example, was last year.
Any plans for growth?
What we’re doing right now is talking with some
prospective partners to expand dramatically through
the EU, and the partner also has a base in the
United States, so we will be looking to expand
there too, which represents quite a massive
expansion. It will involve having product
manufactured in the US and ink supplies being
created over there. It’s a technology transfer as well
as a new market opportunity. The new plant won’t
have to be all that specialised but it will be
dedicated. I personally have 40 years of experience
developing businesses in the United States, and I
spend almost half the year of every year on business
activities over there anyway. So it’s natural for us.
By how much with this move into America be
expanding your business?
I suppose you could say our move into North
America, which includes Canada and Mexico,
represents half of the world’s opportunity, and
Europe represents a third, as far as we’re
concerned. So America will be big if we get it right.
What would you say your company ethos is?
Quality. Products that work, that are fit for their
purpose, and that the customer gets good value for
money. In other words, he should be able to get
payback well within the year for his capital outlay.
What do you think the biggest technological
leap forward will be in your sector over the
next few years?
Where inkjet technology is concerned, the current
technology is well established. The OEMs like
Lexmark, HP, Dell, those sorts of companies have a
vested interest to drive the market forward,
because they’re really in the business of selling ink
and they have put relatively low cost printers into
that market. So it’s well established and it’s not
going to change very much anyway.
Behind that there are other technologies, both
with the imaging itself and with the cartridges.
Some cartridges can be refilled only once, and
Lexmark, for example, produce a cartridge that self
destructs. They’re not very attractive to the market
place; there are green issues with that sort of
product. So while I think there will always be some
threat from new technologies and new ideas, the
traditional printer market is pretty well established,
certainly for the next ten years.

Cartridge Expert looks set to grow even
larger over the next few years

www.pcretailmag.com

PCRetail February 71

To advertise on these pages, please call Carly Bailey on
01992 535647 or email carly.bailey@intentmedia.co.uk

MARKETPLACE

New consumer ranges from Sony
Vendor unveils raft of new consumer electronics devices at CES

S

ony launched a swathe of
new products last month,
the highlights of which were
three new Cybershot digital
cameras, the VAIO P-series
range of compact laptops and
a new high definition camcorder
range.
Sony describes the dimensions
of the VAIO-P laptops as slightly
larger than an office letter
envelope, and they come
loaded with 3G connectivity, a
full keyboard and a highresolution screen. It weighs less
than 640g, is comparatively
leading its product bracket,
including 2GB of RAM, 1.6GHz
CPU, and a 128GB solid-state
drive.
For the internet, the seriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; VAIO
Everywair WWAN technology
allows usage of 3G mobile
phone networks, so the internet
can be accessed from any
location, while GPS allows easy

locating of restaurants, bars and
other local places of interest.
Updating its Cybershot W
Series of digital cameras, the
W220 and W210 have impressive
12.1 effective megapixel
resolution, and a Carl Zeiss 4X
optical zoom lens, SteadyShot
image stabilisation, and high
sensitivity anti-shake functions.
Both cameras also feature
Intelligent Scene Recognition,
which automatically
compensates for the best
picture in common situations,
such as backlit scenes or
twilight portraits. The pictures
can be uploaded and viewed
through high definition
televisions via a cable provided.
The firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new high definition
Handycam range comprises of
seven new models, which
feature enhanced image
quality and a number of
intelligent features. The rangeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

highest-end model, the high
definitionR-XR520VE, can hold
101 hours of high definition
video on its 250GB hard disk
drive. The models also include
advanced features such as
the Exmor R CMOS sensor,
which further increases image
quality by reducing noise.

Sonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new range of laptops
and cameras are likely to prove
popular this year

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MARKETPLACE

HP updates Pavilion laptop range
Vendor bolsteres its Pavilion laptop line with two new models, launched at this year’s CES
and designed to appeal to its full range of consumer, business and enterprise customers

T

he HP Pavilion dv2 notebook
is an inch thick and is 3.8pounds, and comes loaded
with discrete graphics, a highcapacity hard drive of up to 500
gigabytes, and Blu-ray support.
The HP Pavilion dv3 has a 13.3inch diagonal BrightView LED
backlit display, a built-in optical
drive and a lightweight
magnesium casing. It is slightly
heavier at 4.35 pounds, and
includes sufficient processor
and graphics power to handle
a wide range of productivity
and entertainment
applications.
“HP enters the New Year
showing its resolve to provide
consumers, business people
and enterprises market-defining
products that are a step ahead
of the competition. Our
customers receive the highest

technologies to our expanding
line of ultra-mobile notebooks
and companion PCs to our highperformance computers
including mobile workstations
with DreamColor displays, we
offer the industry’s broadest line

of products aimed at satisfying
the wants and demands of our
diverse customer segments.”

HP’s dv2 and dv3 have been
designed with the customer’s
varied needs in mind

www.pcretailmag.com

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MARKETPLACE

AMD unleashes its new Dragon
platform upon rivals’ products

A

MD has unveiled its
Dragon Desktop Platform,
squaring up to rivals by
boldly claiming it is over $1,000
(£670) cheaper than a similar rig
built with competing products.
Describing the platform as
offering ‘elite level performance
for under $900 (£609)’, the vendor
has already signed deals with
several high profile system builders
including HP, Dell and Alienware.
The platform combines the
Series 7 chipsets with its new
AMD Phenom II X4 processor
range and ATi’s Radeon 4800
series graphics cards. The first
systems featuring the platform
are expected to reach US retail
during the first quarter of 2009.
The firm also showcased its
new ATI Mobility Radeon HD
4000 series graphics platform,

76 PCRetail February

“AMD has exceptional graphics success that
will bring unprecedented power and
performance for the mobile platform. The ATI
Radeon HD 4600 and HD 4800 represent the
pinnacle of gaming.”
Erik Kuo, MSI

its next generation series of
notebook graphics processors.
The firm claims the graphics

processors redefine mobile
gaming with advanced
capabilities including support for

the latest Microsoft DirectX 10.1
games, a home theatre-quality
high definition multimedia
experience, and energy-efficient
features for long battery life to
help users get the most out of
their notebook.
So far Asus, Dell and MSI are
utilising the hardware. Eric Kuo,
MSI sales director said “The MSI
EX625 notebook, with ATI Mobility
Radeon HD 4600 series graphics,
and the GT725 notebook, with
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4800
series graphics, represent the
pinnacle of gaming and
multimedia graphics for the
mobile platform.
“AMD has exceptional
graphics success that will bring
unprecedented power and
performance for the mobile
platform,” added Kuo.

www.pcretailmag.com

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MARKETPLACE

OQO launches ultra mobile PC
V
endor OQO was showing
off a new ultra mobile PC
at CES, managing to
attract interest for a type of
device which many have
claimed is no longer relevant,
thanks to more powerful
smartphones and more
affordable laptops (netbooks).
The firm claims this new OQO
Model 2+ is the smallest machine
capable of running Microsoft’s
Windows Vista, and has double
the power of its predecessor.
Weighing less than a pound
with dimensions of 5.6-inches, by
3.3 inches, by one inch, the
device is certainly portable.
However, with pricing starting at
$999 (£670), many will be –
unfavourably – comparing it to
the much cheaper, and less
powerful netbook segment.
The OQO Model 2+ will arrive
sometime in the first half of this
year – though no pricing has yet
been announced for the UK.
“OQO is excited to work with
Intel to deliver the highest

78 PCRetail February

performing Mobile Internet
Device (MID) on the market
today,” said Bob Rosin, senior
vice president of sales and
marketing at OQO. “The OQO
Model 2+ provides enterprise
users and prosumers with
everything needed to get all

“The OQO Model 2+
provides enterprise
users and prosumers
with everything they
need to get work
done on the move,
anywhere.”
Bob Rosin, OQO

their work done as they
move through their day – full
Windows, complete mobility,
and immediate access to
information and applications
from wherever they are.”

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MARKETPLACE

Palm’s new touch screen phone
R
iding the enduring wave of
popularity for the touch
screen functionality of the
iPhone, Palm has used this
year’s CES to showcase its
forthcoming rival device.
The Palm Pre has been in
development since 2007,
apparently under the
supervision of former Apple
executive and cocreator of the iPod,
John Rubenstein,
and carries the new
Palm Web OS
operating system.
The new smart
phone features GPS
location
technology, Wi-Fi
wireless connectivity
and a full slide out keyboard. It
will be available exclusively
through Sprint Nextel Corp in the
first half of 2009 but a retail price
is not yet disclosed.
The Palm Synergy feature

allows Facebook, Outlook,
Google contacts and calendars
to be synchronised into one
place. The feature also allows all
communications with one
person to be grouped together,
whatever the medium. For
example, it could store text
messages with instant messages
together in once place.

connects applications to the
web so they are updated
automatically.
The Palm Pre also has an
interface that’s more similar to
an operating system, with
notifications logged at the
bottom of the screen to be
opened at the users leisure.

“The new smartphone
features GPS location
technology, Wi-Fi wireless
connectivity and slide out
full keyboard”
For internet access the device
apparently will come loaded
with a particularly fast web
browser which will be more akin
to surfing on a computer than a
mobile phone, and constantly

The Palm Pre was developed
under the supervision of former
Apple executive and co-creator
of the iPod, John Rubenstein

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MARKETPLACE

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01992 535647 or email carly.bailey@intentmedia.co.uk

Nvidia launches two new GPUs
G

raphics specialist Nvidia
impressive results on complex
has unveiled two new
DirectX 10 environments and
high end GPUs for PC
high frame rates in heavy high
gaming enthusiasts – the
definition resolutions.
GeForce GTX 295 and the
Both the GTX 295 and GTX 285
GeForce GTX 285.
were designed with Nvidia’s
The GTX 295 is loaded with two
CUDA technology in mind, and
GeForce GTX
are built to
200 GPUs, which
provide faster
Nvidia claims
and more
The GTX 285 is
makes it the
powerful results in
apparently the
fastest dual GPU
areas such as
product on the
image
world’s most
market. The
processing, video
powerful single
card was made
playback/editing
GPU
with an eye on
and audio files.
delivering the
The products are
best possible
designed to work
performance on
especially well on
some of the most graphics
editing software such as CS4.
hungry PC games, such as Far
The hardware is also
Cry 2, Mirror’s Edge, and Call of
compatible with Nvidia’s new
Duty 5: World at War.
GeForce 3D Vision glasses, which
The GTX 285 is apparently the
allow games to be played in
world’s most powerful single
true stereostropic 3D.
GPU. Nvidia claims it delivers 30
Launched at CES, both the
per cent faster performance
GeForce GTX 295 and the
than competing single GPU
GeForce GTX 285 are available
products, and provides
for purchase now.

84 PCRetail February

www.pcretailmag.com

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MARKETPLACE

Powermat makes
electricity wireless

H

ardware vendor
Powermat spent CES
showing off its yet to be
released product line which
allows multiple devices to be
charged wirelessly, removing
the need for multiple chargers.
The technology is based on
principles of magnetic
induction, and takes roughly
the same time to charge a
device as the original wired
charger would.
The products are thinly
layered mats, which are
generally designed to be laid
on top of a work surface. A
number of receivers (that can
take the form of plugs,
dongles, and docks) are
embedded within the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;formfittingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; covers, which perform a
virtual handshake with the
device to ascertain how much
power it needs.
A wide variety of gadgets
are covered in the initial
model, including GPS devices,
mobile phones, media players

and Bluetooth headsets.
Depending on the model, as
many as six devices can be
charged up simultaneously.
The technology has been
employed in various versions as
well as the basic flat mat style
product. Currently, a
specialised car charger and
wrap-around iPod cases have
been announced, while new
models for Nokia phones and
BlackBerry devices will be
announced soon.
The device is being primarily
targeted at those on the move
a lot, who would benefit form
not having to take multiple
chargers and leads with them
as well as the devices
themselves. It should also be
attractive to users with a lot of
mobile devices at home, who
have found that they are
having to plug in a large
amount of seperate chargers.
The Powermat range should
be available for purchase by
autumn this year.

Xxxx

86 PCRetail February

www.pcretailmag.com

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01992 535647 or email carly.bailey@intentmedia.co.uk

MARKETPLACE

The GV-N295-B carries
the latest CUDA and
PhysX technologies

Gigabyte
unleashes dual
GPU accelerator

B

ased on Nvidia’s latest
GTX295 dual processors,
graphics card vendor
Gigabyte has launched the
GV-N295-18I-B. It features
896MB GDDR3 memory, 480
stream processors, and the
latest Nvidia SLI, PureVideo HD,
PhysX, CUDA and Microsoft
DirectX 10 technology. The
card’s output interfaces
support Dual-Link DVI, D-Sub,
and HDMI with HDCP, providing
extremely high resolutions.
Gigabyte is promoting the
card by claiming the
combination of all of Nvidia’s
latest hardware combine to
make a ‘new class of physical
gaming interaction,’ which
essentially means more realistic
next generation graphics.
The PhysX and CUDA
technology in particular
combine to enhance the
graphical prowess of modern
games, making complex
faces, explosions and
detailed
environments
smoother and
clearer. In line
with Nvidia’s
own messaging,
Gigabyte is also
marketing the ability

88 PCRetail February

of CUDA software to help the
card boost non-gaming
functions of the PC, helping
the GPU to take over from the
CPU in some cases.
The GIGABYTE GV-N295-18IB’s on board PureVideo HD
technology allows top of the
range HD video capabilities,
bolstered by the ‘Dual DualLink’ DVI and HDMI, which
provide 2560 x 1600 resolution.
Elsewhere, Gigabyte has also
launched its AMD based Ultra
Durable 3 Classic motherboard
technology. The chief feature
of the technology is the
increased amount of copper
used in the manufacturing
process, which provides lower
system temperature, improves
energy efficiency, and
enhanced stability when
overclocking.

The on-board
PureVideo HD
enhances video
capabilities

www.pcretailmag.com

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MARKETPLACE

VIP introduces new Antec
gaming case
D

istributor VIP Computers is
set to launch Antec’s Nine
Hundred Two chassis,
aimed at the gaming market.
The Nine Hundred Two is
loosely based on the previous
Antec Nine Hundred chassis in its
design, maintaining some of the
more popular features whilst
incorporating new additions. The
perforated front panel remains,
along with its capacity for up to
six variable-speed fans.
Antec has added a top
200mm ‘Big Boy’ TriCool fan with
blue LED, fan control knobs,
built-in washable air filters and
eight expansion slots to the
original Nine Hundred design.
The combination of cooling,
performance and convenience,
make the Nine Hundred Two

www.pcretailmag.com

ideal for handling the demands
of the latest games.
“The additions to this new
case show Antec is listening to
its customers and taking action,
which is one of the reasons VIP is
proud to work with Antec in the
UK,” said Victoria Davies, Antec
product manager at VIP. “The
Antec Nine Hundred is a hugely
popular gaming case so I am
sure this will be a welcomed
addition to the range.”
Jerome François, European
sales manager at Antec,
added: “With improved airflow,
greater versatility and
dominating style, Antec’s Nine
Hundred Two is ‘The Ultimate
Gaming Case, Evolved’. You
won't find a better deal in the
gaming area.”

VIP is confident that
the Nine Hundred Two
will perform as well as
its predecessors.

PCRetail February 89

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01992 535647 or email carly.bailey@intentmedia.co.uk

MARKETPLACE

The ARCHOS 10 marks the vendor’s
entry into the computer market

Archos enters
netbook area

P

ortable media player
specialist ARCHOS has
become the latest
consumer electronics vendor to
enter the computer market with
the launch of its ARCHOS 10.
The machine weighs around
1.3kg, incorporates a 10.2-inch
(1024 x 600) ‘super bright’ LED
screen, an ergonomic keyboard
and is designed to be used
easily on the go.

and video calling, instant
messaging and low-cost
calling to landlines and mobile
phone numbers.
Other features include a four
-in-one multi-memory card
reader, a VGA connection,
headphone and microphone
jacks and three USB ports.
It also comes packed with a
large variety of multimedia
features based on its popular

It also comes packed with a large variety
of multimedia features, based on its popular
portable media software. Its Archos Media
Club has the latest movies and video
content available to download.

Powered by the Intel Atom
low power processor, it runs on
Windows XP, has a 160GB hard
drive storage, and comes ready
loaded with Lotus Symphony
office applications and Xnview
photo editing software.
For internet access, it comes
with 802.11b/g wireless LAN
and 10/100 Ethernet LAN
connectivity. Furthermore, it
has a 1.3 mega pixel webcam
with wireless connectivity and
Skype software for free voice

90 PCRetail February

portable media player software,
such as instant access to the
vendor’s highly regarded
Archos Media Club, with the
latest movies and video content
available on demand, Deezer,
which gives access to a range
of free music, and vTuner, which
allows the use of 1,000 web TV
channels, 10,000 web radio
stations and 100,000 podcasts.
The Archos 10 is available
now through distributors and
retails for around £349.

www.pcretailmag.com

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01992 535647 or email carly.bailey@intentmedia.co.uk

MARKETPLACE

Transcend debuts new
multi USB card reader
Flash memory vendor
The device plugs in via a
Transcend has launched the P8
USB plug, and can then be
All-In-One USB Card Reader. The
used to easily and quickly
product has been designed with
extract music, video files,
style as priority, and as such is
documents and pictures.
thin with rounded edges.
In addition, each P8 Card
It comes in
Reader comes
black and
with preThe product has
white versions,
loaded photo
and measures
recovery
been designed
77.7mm by
software that
with style as a
46mm by
provides
15.8mm, and
previews of
priority, and as
as such is
recoverable
such is thin with
relatively
data. This
rounded edges
small.
software can
The firm has
help users
also
restore lost or
apparently
damaged files
developed the card reader with
with relative simplicity.
simplicity in mind, with clearly
With support for high-speed
labelled function information for
Ultra DMA transfer mode, the
all the card slots available.
device provides decent speeds,

especially when using highspeed 300X CompactFlash
cards. It is compatible with a
wide range of memory cards,
including the CF, SD, SDHC,

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here’s one very good
and 512MB of DDR2 RAM.
reason why Acer is selling
These helped to ensure the
more laptops in Europe
Aspire One felt speedy enough
than any other company: the
in use, although it takes three or
Acer Aspire One. It took Asus’
four seconds to launch
vision of a bargain notebook to
applications. We would prefer
surf the web, and concentrated
more memory if it was using
on getting the basics spot on.
Windows XP, but Acer’s build of
The first basic is the keyboard.
Linpus Linux Lite has no issues.
It’s cramped due to the
The choice of Linux does
chassis’ width, but we found it
have some disadvantages.
possible to touch
Apart from
type with ease.
“This is a very light losing the
The other basic
familiarity of
laptop: it weighs Windows, it isn’t
is the screen.
While the Asus’
only 1.06kg, which as good at
Eee PC’s screens
puts it just behind managing
tend to suffer
power as
Toshiba’s X300 and Microsoft’s OS.
from graininess,
the Aspire One’s
We found there
an apricot.
is sharp and
was always a
Despite this, it is
bright – a real
faint hum of
pleasure to use.
fully specced PC.” fans emanating
And this despite it
from the Aspire
only being 8.9-inches
One, while its battery life score
diagonally.
of two hours 30 minutes under
We were also impressed by
light use means you’ll generally
the build quality. It may not be
need to carry the power
able to match the very best
adapter with you on your
here for ruggedness – the HP
travels.
Mininote in particular – but it’s
Or alternatively, you can
solid and the screen feels well
choose from one of its optional
protected. Our only mild
extras and buy an extended
criticisms are of the tinny
battery. We found a six-cell,
speakers and oddly positioned
6,600mAh unit on sale for £43
mouse buttons on either side of
excluding VAT, which should
the trackpad.
take life to around five hours.
This is an extremely light
There’s no denying this is a
laptop: it weighs only 1.06kg,
basic machine – like most
which puts it just behind the
netbooks on sale these days –
Toshiba and an apricot. Despite
but as a second system to sling
this, it uses a fully fledged
into a bag when all you need is
120GB SATA hard disk, which is
internet access – when teamed
accompanied by Intel’s nearwith mobile broadband – it’s a
ubiquitous Atom N270 processor,
great value choice.

94 PCRetail February

hile the Asus Eee Top
bleed on a dark screen despite
takes aim at the most
the powerful backlight, while
casual and basic of
colour gradients were perfectly
web surfers, Sony’s latest all-insmooth throughout our tests.
one PC shows precisely how to
It’s a great package,
appeal to everyone. The silver
particularly for the price. When
styling is gorgeous, the display is
you consider that the cheapest
as good as any external
model in Dell’s XPS One family –
monitor, and the internals are
its all on one range – costs
more than capable of handling
nearly £100 more than this, but
a rigorous daily routine.
comes with a slower processor,
It owes a lot to Apple’s
less RAM and a smaller hard
design
disk, not to
expertise, with
a slightly
“For years, Apple mention
a brushedbulkier design, it’s
users have been
metal finish
clear that this
and a body
happy to pay a silly Sony is a real
that’s
winner.
premium for this sort
remarkably thin
We’d prefer
of beautiful design. more than a
considering the
power it packs;
single year’s
If it can offer the
only the iMac
warranty, but the
same for a
matches it for
build quality is
aesthetics. The
light enough to
comparitive
main body has
up for that
pittance, then we’ll make
a handle-like
minor complaint.
be first in line.”
bar at the base
You could, of
to act as the
course, buy a
main foot, while the rear stand
similar specified budget PC and
– little more than a single thin
a decent 20-inch TFT for less
metal arm – slides back and
than the Sony VAIO VGCforwards with ease to adjust the
JS1E/S, but that would be
screen’s angle.
missing the point.
And that screen is up to
It takes up less room on a
Sony’s usual high standards. It
desk than most monitors of its
boasts a 20.1-inch diagonal
size, yet has an entire PC – and
screen with a 1,680 x 1,050
a fully functional one at that –
widescreen resolution; it’s
crammed in at the rear.
bright, glossy, incredibly sharp,
For years, Apple users have
and provides vivid colours and
been happy to pay a silly
superb contrast. The old issues
premium for this sort of
of the glossy finish apply – it’s a
beautiful design, so if Sony can
little blue-ish at times and
offer the same for a
reflections can be visible under
comparative pittance, we’ll be
office lights – but we saw no
first in line.

www.pcretailmag.com

To advertise on these pages, please call Carly Bailey on
01992 535647 or email carly.bailey@intentmedia.co.uk

MARKETPLACE

DISTRIBUTOR DIRECTORY
Abacom

01483 303455

abacom.co.uk

Avanquest

01752 318078

avanquest-solutions.co.uk

Avnet

01344 662000

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0870 402 0000

bluesolutions.co.uk

Bluepoint

0870 121 8001

bluepoint.net

Broadband first

087 078 70387

broadbandfirst.com

CCI Distribution

01423 704 700

ccidistribution.co.uk

Centerprise

01256 378 000

centerprise.co.uk

Computer 2000

08700 603 344

computer2000.co.uk

Computer Gear

0121 503 0666

computergear.co.uk

Direktek

01494 471 100

direktek.co.uk

Enta Technologies

0870 770 9588

entaonline.com.

Ezy

0845 050 6002

ezyinfotech.com

Focus Mulitmedia

01889 570 156

focusmm.co.uk

Gem

01279 822 822

gem.co.uk

Ingram Micro

0870 405 3000

ingrammicro.co.uk

Interactive Ideas

0208 8051000

interactiveideas.com

J&J Associates

01752 336 465

jj-associates.com

JLT Computers

0870 225 5558

jltcomputers.co.uk

Keyboard Company

0845 205 5588

keyboardco.com

KMS Components

02920 713 713

kmscomponents.com

M2M direct

020-867-63030

m2m-direct.co.uk

Medea

0870 350 0330

medea.co.uk

Midwich

01379 649200

midwich.com

Meroncourt

01462 680 060

trade.meroncourt.co.uk

MT Electronics

0121 331 8970

mt-electronics.com

Nanopoint

08701 620 818

nanopoint.co.uk

Realtime Distribution

01480 435 881

realtimeonline.co.uk

RET UK

01722 341 234

retuk.com

SDA Trading

0161 819 1515

sdatrading.com

SJ Software

01282 865 500

sjsoftware.co.uk

Target Components

01977 739 300

targetcomponents.co.uk

Ultra-X

+31 252 533 284

uxd.eu

VIP

0871 622 7500

vip-computers.com/uk

Westcoast

0118 912 6000

www.weatcoast.co.uk

Widget

01438 842362

www.widget.co.uk

www.pcretailmag.com

PCRetail February 95

OFF THE RECORD

A day in the life

This month: This month, we bring you the best and worst
of CES 2009, as well as news of UK Online’s attempt to
get technophobes addicted to the internet...

CES

Bart Hoorntje
Sales Director,
Widget UK
NORMALLY I am up before my the CardScan and Dymo
kids as I have a one hour
ranges and the team needs to
commute from Stanford to
be kept up to date with
Stevenage and I like beat the
product developments.
traffic. Although with a third
After the main sales meeting
child due next month, I may
we split into two sessions: one
not be the first up soon!
for the external account
On a Monday morning, I
managers and another for the
usually have an hour to sort
internal ones. I tend to work in
out email and check the Dutch
the office two or three days per
football results from over the
week, getting out to customers
weekend,
for the rest of
before the
the time. Even
“Some of my
8.30 catchup
when I am in
meeting with
best deals have the office, I am
our managing
not a desk
been done
director Jo
bound person,
outside in the
Foreman,
so I prefer to
and head of
use my phone
rain while an
logistics
walking round
articulated lorry
Grant
the building,
Davidson.
calling round
passes me by”
At 10.30
our key
we run the
customers to
weekly sales
see how their
meeting, to track the sales
stocks and sales are going.
from last week against budget,
From time to time these
organise priorities for the week
wanderings still take me
ahead and bring up any news
outside to the car park where I
from our suppliers. Our largest
give into my tobacco cravings.
supplier TomTom now has a
Some of my best deals have
much more complex range of
been done outside in rainy
products than it did when I
Stevenage, phone in one hand
worked for it several years ago,
and a Marlboro in the other,
with different price point
while an articulated lorry passes
models to divide the market up three feet from me as it heads
into niches. When I started in
towards the ‘goods-in’ bay.
this market there was only one
Then I leave at six, giving
model. It was a lot simpler
me just enough time to get
then. We also distribute other
home and tell my kids a story
consumer products, such as
before they go to bed at seven.

96 PCRetail February

www.pcretailmag.com

OFF THE RECORD

Send your pictures to andrew wooden@intentmedia.co.uk

GET ONLINE DAY
UK Online recently celebrated its second ‘Get Online Day,’ managing
to get 12,000 people up and down the country in front of a computer
and on the internet – and in some cases, for the first time. The
event, which took place in October, saw 500 centres open their
doors to the estimated one in three adults who still don’t use
computers or t’internet.

CES is always a veritable Smörgåsbord of gadgets – some useful and
some, well... less useful. Touch was one of the big themes, with both HP
and Microsoft showing off their goods, while Sony’s CEO Howard Stringer
called on the services of Tom Hanks to promote its 3D technology.

www.pcretailmag.com

PCRetail February 97

IN THE

BACK PAGE

“

HOTSEAT

QUOTES

OF THE MONTH

“We’re taking these steps in
anticipation of an
environment we think will get
worse before it gets better.
This is the sort of time you
want to have cash.”
Logitech CEO Gerald
Quindlen discusses job cuts
following a severe drop in
profits due to weakened
demand.
“He wants a rest.
Peacefulness. What happens
when you rest – your mind
floats. And a person like he is
will probably work out better
concepts and products and
ways that the future could
be. More than any other
individual could. It will
probably be a great thing for
Apple.”
Apple co-founder Steve
Wozniak philosophises on
the implications of Steve
Jobs’ health related
absence from Apple, on US
TV channel NBC.

“Intel has weathered difficult
times in the past, and we
know what needs to be
done to drive our success
moving forward. Our new
technologies and new

products will helps us ignite
market growth and thrive
when the economy
recovers.”
Intel CEO Paul Otellini talks
about the 90 per cent drop
in profits for the third quarter
of fiscal 2009.
“Its been a mess. I regret
ordering the computer. The
person I was talking to said
Ubuntu was great, college
students loved it, it was
compatible with everything I
needed.”
An American woman
complains to her local media
after finding that her Ubuntu
based Dell could not run
Microsoft Word.
“They write the lines, I tell the
truth...what a fool I’d have
been if I had been one of
the 600 people who bought
a betamax. I had to (be
here), you wrote it into my
contract...now can I have
my money from Angels and
Demons?”
Actor Tom Hanks delivers a
less than enthusiastic
introduction for Sony at the
CES in Las Vegas.

Name: Robert Peckham
Position: Executive Director
Company: Mac Technology
Association
Describe yourself in three words?
Decisive, focused, optimist
How do you relax away from work?
Being with the family and walking the dog in the
Oxfordshire countryside
What’s your favourite game/book/film/album?
Whoa – too many to list, and they’re changing all the
time! The last new film I saw was Wall-E, which was a
breathtaking insight into what the world could
become, and I’d certainly rate it up there with all my
favourites
What was your first computer?
Sinclair ZX-something, but I never figured out how to
work it. My first real computer was an Olivetti M24, but
only because I worked for Olivetti. My first Mac was a
Classic II (gotta get that one in)
What’s your best memory from working in the
industry?
Mygate getting nominated for Best Reseller at the
MacWorld Awards in 2000 - I was its sales manager at
the time
Who’s the funniest person you’ve ever met?
Dudley Moore (he was a client of mine briefly back in
the 80’s)
What did you want to do when you were younger?
RAF Pilot or a photographer. Managed to do one of
these for awhile
When were the ‘good old days?’
Hopefully they’re yet to come

NEXT MONTH
Security Software: The constant
presence of hackers, crackers,
exploiters and phishers means that
security is a constantly evolving
marketplace. PC Retail takes a look at
some of the software options available
and talks to some of the companies
on the frontline of PC security.
Office Peripherals: We take a look

98 PCRetail February

at office peripherals, a sector that has
seen enourmous changes over the last
year with the stresses of reduced
business spending and the renewed
emphasis on environmental concerns.
Smart Phones: One of the few real
growth industries, Smart Phones have
exploded in to the mass market. We
take a look at the iPhone and its rivals.

LATEST

NEWS
STRAIGHT TO YOUR MOBILE

BOOKMARK US IN YOUR PHONE:

mobile.pcretailmag.com
www.pcretailmag.com

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